If it isn't one thing in the air travel industry, it's another. Supply chain issues, software glitches — and of course, the catastrophes at Boeing. And ultimately, travelers must pay the price for the airline industry’s stumbles. Just look at ticket prices, which have increased 25 percent since 2022 — outpacing inflation by a wide margin.
Supply chain problems were a common complaint in numerous industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. But while those issues have partly or fully resolved in many cases, the airline industry continues to grapple with delays. The International Air Travel Association estimates approximately 38.7 million commercial flights worldwide in 2024 — 1.4 million fewer than 2023, which the IATA directly attributes to aircraft delivery delays. With the heavier reliance on existing aircraft, spare parts are also scarce, and maintenance shops are struggling to handle the increased workload.
Software problems and cyberattacks have also disrupted operations. In 2023, pro-Russian cybercriminals attacked EUROCONTROL, hampering its air traffic control operations. In August, a cyberattack on the Port of Seattle, which operates the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, brought airport communications systems down. And in July, thousands of flights were delayed or canceled after a routine Microsoft software update caused an outage that impacted millions of Windows devices.
And it's hard to understate Boeing's impact on the airline industry. The aerospace giant's quality issues have placed immense additional strain on commercial air travel, and the effects will likely stick around for years. Slow production and an extensive order backlog has limited passenger capacity with many carriers, and competitor Airbus also feels the strain as they struggle to meet increased demand for their aircraft.
