FAA directive on Boeing to potentially impact 18 million seats globally

Over the next 30 days, according to data from Mabrian, major airlines, including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, among others will face significant challenges, potentially leading to global travel disruptions.

The FAA announcement implies that inspections and corrective actions should be performed in the potentially loose or non-functional rocker switch caps or switch canover assemblies on the back of the Captain’s and First Officer’s seats  of certain Boeing 787-8, 9, and –10 airplanes, currently operating worldwide. This malfunction is allegedly behind five similar reports, two still under investigation.

Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company, anticipates the impact of this aircraft recall based on the analysis* of the scheduled flights and seats in programmed routes for the next month, of all Boeing 787 aircrafts affected by the FAA’s Airworthiness Directive (AD), issued on August 20th, 2024.

Data shows that over 64,000 flights, equivalent to slightly more than 18 million seats, could be compromised; and 92% of such flights are scheduled in 787-8 and 787-9 models. In terms of availability, 58% of total seats affected are scheduled in 787-9 aircrafts, and over a third in 787-8 planes. “This mandatory inspection will not imply to land all planes at the same time, as airlines have 30 days to complete it and fix any malfunction, but it will pose a massive challenge in an already tight summer and post summer schedule, that could cause delays and cancellations worldwide”, says Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Maketing and Communications at Mabrian.

Qatar Airways one of the most affected airlines

The air carriers that should have to cushion a larger impact derived from this FAA’s directive will be Qatar Airways and All Nippon Airways; as well as Hainan Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.

Among the list of the airlines that should have to manage their schedules in the next month to attend this mandatory inspection there are relevant Asian carriers such as Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and China Southern Airlines; or key airlines catering to Middle East and Asia long-haul routes, such as Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines.