If you think airlines are quickly replacing their fleets with shiny new planes, think again. Both Airbus and Boeing are drowning in backorders, supply chain issues, and rising costs. At this rate, it could take more than a decade to clear their backlog.
And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, Donald Trump’s new tariffs are about to throw another wrench into the aviation industry.
With parts and materials coming from all over the world, higher import taxes could lead to even more delays, increased costs, and frustrated airlines.
So how did we get here?
Why are the world’s two biggest aircraft manufacturers struggling to keep up with demand?
And most importantly—how will this affect airlines and passengers?
Let’s break it all down.
Airbus and Boeing: Stuck in a Massive Backlog
To put things in perspective, Airbus currently has 8,600 planes on order. That’s enough work to keep them busy for over 10 years at their current production rate.
Boeing isn’t doing much better. The company has been dealing with a series of quality control issues, labor strikes, and supply chain disruptions.
On top of that, its 737 MAX program has been plagued with delays, and inspections of its aircraft have slowed deliveries even further.
The problem isn’t a lack of demand—it’s a lack of production capacity. Airlines desperately need more planes, but Airbus and Boeing just can’t build them fast enough.
The Supply Chain Nightmare
A big part of the problem is that the aviation industry never fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the crisis, many suppliers had to lay off workers, cut production, or even shut down completely.
Now that demand for air travel is back, these suppliers are struggling to ramp up operations again.
Airbus Spain’s president, Francisco Javier Sánchez, put it bluntly:
“We are only as strong as our weakest link.”
This means that if one supplier fails to deliver parts on time, the entire production line slows down. Whether it’s engines, landing gear, or avionics, delays in any single component can throw off an entire aircraft’s delivery schedule.
Boeing is dealing with even more complications.
The company recently discovered debris inside the wing fuel tanks of undelivered 737 MAX aircraft. This has led to further inspections, more delays, and even more frustration from airline customers waiting for their planes.
The bottom line? The supply chain is still broken, and fixing it isn’t going to happen overnight.
Trump’s Tariffs: A New Headache for Boeing and Airbus
Photo: Reuters
As if things weren’t bad enough, Donald Trump’s new tariffs are about to make everything worse.
Trump has been pushing for higher taxes on imported goods, and that includes aircraft parts from key suppliers like Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg recently warned that these tariffs could lead to higher costs and even more delays in production.
For example, Boeing sources landing gear components from Canada, a country that Trump is targeting with his trade policies.
If tariffs increase, Boeing will either have to eat the extra costs or pass them on to airlines—which ultimately means higher ticket prices for passengers.
Airbus, though based in Europe, also relies on a global supply chain. Many of its aircraft parts come from the U.S., China, and other regions.
If Trump escalates trade tensions, Airbus could face higher costs and even greater disruptions in its supply network.
In short: More tariffs = higher costs = longer delays = unhappy airlines and travelers.
How Airlines Are Coping with the Delays
So what happens when airlines can’t get new planes fast enough? They’re forced to get creative.
1️⃣ Flying Older Planes Longer
With new aircraft deliveries slower than expected, airlines are holding onto their older planes for longer.
According to IATA (the International Air Transport Association), the average age of commercial aircraft has now risen to 14.8 years—the oldest it has ever been. Back in the early 2000s, that number was closer to 13 years.
Older planes mean:
- Higher maintenance costs
- More fuel consumption (bad for both airlines’ profits and the environment)
- Potentially more delays and cancellations due to mechanical issues
2️⃣ Leasing Aircraft Instead of Buying
Another strategy airlines are using is leasing more planes instead of buying them outright. But here’s the catch: The cost of leasing aircraft has skyrocketed because demand is so high.
With interest rates rising and competition for aircraft increasing, airlines are paying a premium just to secure extra capacity.
3️⃣ Cutting Routes or Increasing Ticket Prices
In some cases, airlines are reducing flight frequencies on less profitable routes because they don’t have enough planes to operate all scheduled flights.
And when supply is low but demand is high? Ticket prices go up.
So if you’ve noticed that flights seem more expensive lately, this aircraft shortage might be part of the reason why.
Can Airbus and Boeing Fix This?
Both manufacturers are scrambling to fix their production problems, but it’s not going to happen overnight.
🔹 Airbus’ Plan
- Investing in better supplier monitoring to catch issues before they cause major delays.
- Exploring ways to increase production capacity without compromising quality.
- Pushing forward with hydrogen-powered aircraft research—but this is a long-term solution, not an immediate fix.
🔹 Boeing’s Plan
- Addressing quality control issues to avoid further production halts.
- Working with regulators to streamline inspections and prevent delivery bottlenecks.
- Hoping that trade tensions don’t make things worse (but that’s out of their hands).
While both companies are trying their best, the truth is there’s no quick fix to this crisis.
What This Means for Travelers
If you’re a frequent flyer, here’s what all of this means for you:
✈️ Higher Ticket Prices – With fewer new planes available, airlines have less capacity, which can drive up fares.
✈️ Flying on Older Aircraft – Don’t be surprised if you find yourself on a 15-year-old jet instead of a brand-new one.
✈️ More Full Flights – With limited aircraft availability, airlines are packing flights to the brim to maximize efficiency.
✈️ Potential Flight Reductions – Some routes could see fewer flights due to aircraft shortages.
Final Thoughts: A Long Road to Recovery
Airbus and Boeing are in a tough spot, and airlines—and passengers—are feeling the impact. With massive delays, supply chain headaches, and now tariffs making things even harder, this aviation backlog isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
For now, expect older planes, pricier tickets, and a whole lot of waiting. Let’s just hope the industry figures things out before airlines run out of options.
