The chief executive of a major low-fare carrier has criticised Boeing for failing to meet a production cap for 737 aircraft set by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Max Kownatzki, CEO of SunExpress, was speaking at a conference in Antalya, Türkiye, to mark the airline’s 35th anniversary.
Max Kownatzki at the SunExpress 35th Anniversary event in Antalya, Türkiye.
He said that Boeing “was not even close” to meeting the current production cap of 38 aircraft a month set by the FAA. “Now, would we like Boeing to step up the delivery process? Yes, for sure. As you know, Boeing had planned a production output of about 64 737s per month. There’s currently a cap in place of 38 aircraft by the FAA, which is also upheld by the current FAA Administrator. So there’s no movement on this, but now we’re not even close to the 38 per month,” he said.
Kownatzki said that SunExpress was “very, very happy” with the 737 MAX 8s that Boeing had managed to deliver so far.
“We’re very happy with the fuel efficiency and the noise level of the aircraft that we have already taken delivery of. Once the aircraft is there, everything is a breeze,” he said.
On track
Kownatzki pointed out that, despite the delays in aircraft deliveries, SunExpress was on track to meet its 2025 commitments.
“We’re a very dynamic and agile company, so we have extended leases, we have engaged in new operating leases, and the remainder, that’s the smaller part, we’ve done through ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) deals. So, in terms of what we promise, we walk our talk. For tour operators, we’ve never shied away from a commitment that was previously given,” he said.
He added that he was visiting the US to discuss the situation with Boeing.
“I am in Seattle next week, meeting with the top management of Boeing Commercial Airplanes to push on this topic and see if we can mitigate this delivery schedule for us. We always prefer having our own aircraft rather than going to the third-party market, which is obviously also drying up,” he said, adding that he was hopeful progress would be made.
“We have a very trusting relationship with Boeing itself, so we’re on good terms with a very open dialogue,” he said.
A SunExpress Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Antalya Airport.
The FAA imposed the 38-aircraft cap after a door plug on an Alaskan Airlines 737 MAX 9 blew out in January 2024, causing an uncontrolled decompression of the aircraft. The regulator has also permanently increased its in-person presence at Boeing and its supplier, Spirit Aerosystems,
Photos: Rob Munro
