Between losses, production delays, fines, and a possible lawsuit, Boeing has faced an onslaught of bad press sparked by an Alaska Airlines incident in January. Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook estimates there are up to 3k aircraft set to be delivered regionally between 2023 and 2042, but with concern growing and delivery times lengthening, regional aviation players are exploring options.

A quick look at Boeing’s regional orderbook: Riyadh-based, PIF-owned airline Riyadh Air purchased 39 787-9s, with options for an additional 33 787-9s last year at the 2023 Paris Air Show and is looking to launch next year with an all Boeing fleet. Emirates also ordered 90 of Boeing's largest aircraft type, the 777X, and an additional five 787s at a value of USD 52 bn, in November 2023, despite knowing that Boeing had been already struggling delivery delays. Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has also issued tenders for new aircraft, as it looks to purchase some 200 aircraft within the coming ten years.

There’s a struggle to meet orders: Boeing and rival European aircraft maker Airbus are struggling to meet the ramp up in demand from regional carriers, causing frustration for some as delays stretch on. Emirates recently warned the aircraft maker to “keep its promise” on deliveries of long-awaited 777X aircraft, after hinting at a need for a shakeup in the firm’s leadership earlier this year. Etihad CEO Anotonoaldo Neves added that his company expects compensation for delayed deliveries but that they do not make up for lost ticket sales, citing surging demand for air travel and a shortage of capacity.

Upcoming giant Riyadh Air struck a more conciliatory note: The carrier is “very conscious” of delays to Boeing and Airbus orders, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas told Bloomberg. Recent changes in Boeing’s management are expected to overhaul the company, Douglas said, adding that the new leadership “has to stay absolutely focused and get back to basics.” Riyadh Air is expected to make follow up orders to scale up its size, Douglas also said, without indicating whether the orders will go to Boeing, or Airbus, or a mix of the two.

Carriers are looking to play the delay to their advantage: Airlines are looking to leverage the delivery delays to get disc. on orders and to pressure the company for reimbursements, Reuters reported. However, carriers looking to switch out for Airbus orders will likely have a hard time of it as Airbus’ order book is full through 2030, the newswire said.

Airbus may benefit in the long-term: Despite it being difficult for airlines to replace their aircraft overnight, the long-term trend is clearly in favor of Airbus, CNN reported. “The declining demand of plane orders by airlines for Boeing aircrafts might just get directed towards Airbus instead, and doesn’t just disappear,” chief economist at Revelio Labs, Lisa Simon, told CNN. Airbus delivered some 735 aircraft in 2023, far ahead of Boeing’s 480, solidifying its title as the world’s largest plane manufacturer for the fifth straight year, and casting doubt on whether the commercial aircraft market is still characterized by the long-running Boeing-Airbus duopoly.

What’s more: KSA national carrier Saudia made the country’s largest-ever aircraft order for 105 narrow-bodies from Airbus worth USD 19 bn, which it will begin to receive beginning 2026. The landmark order could have been larger, but Airbus cannot handle any more deliveries before 2032.

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