Analysis: Boeing's latest production problem compounds operational headache for US carriers

A manufacturing problem with Boeing Co's (BA.N) 737 MAX jets that led to a pause in some deliveries threatens to disrupt plans by U.S. carriers to boost capacity to capitalize on a busy summer travel season. It is expected to result not just in lost revenue, but will likely also drive up airlines' operating costs, industry experts said. Carriers are already grappling with shortages of pilots, air traffic controllers and new planes, making it harder to add more flights. They are leaning on bigger planes that can accommodate more passengers to get around operational challenges. Boeing's latest problem, identified last week, affects a portion of the 737 MAX family of airplanes, including the bestselling MAX 8. The MAX 737-8 planes tend to have higher seating capacity compared with jets of previous generations. The delays in their delivery will only compound airlines' operational headaches, said Addison Schonland, partner at consulting firm AirInsight. "The timing is awkward," Schonland said. "You're going into the peak (travel) season. They need the bigger capacity."While it is not deemed to be a safety of flight issue and in-service planes can continue to operate, aircraft will need to be fixed before delivery. The impact on airlines could be even more pronounced if the FAA mandates an emergency fix to in-service planes as opposed to allowing jets to be modified during scheduled maintenance, said Vertical Research Partners analyst Robert Stallard. Airlines are still scrambling to get all the details and assess the impact on delivery schedules. Boeing declined to comment on how many planes will be affected. CEO David Calhoun is expected to provide further details at the company's annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday.<br/>