Boeing Faces $3.8 Billion Loss: A Troublesome Quarter

Boeing announced a $3.8 billion loss for the fourth quarter of 2024, adding to its financial troubles since 2019. The company has now lost more than $35 billion following the fatal crashes of two 737 Max jets that killed 346 people.

Key Factors Behind Boeing’s Loss

Boeing faced several challenges that contributed to its poor financial performance:

• A seven-week machinists strike halted production of the 737 Max, 777, and 767 aircraft at factories in Washington.
• Boeing incurred nearly $3 billion in charges due to labor disputes, job cuts, and problems with government programs.
• Loss per share was $5.46, much worse than the $3.08 analysts expected.

Production Disruptions

The machinists strike impacted Boeing’s ability to produce and deliver its planes. Workers at the Renton and Everett factories stopped working for over seven weeks.

The strike ended when Boeing agreed to pay raises and better benefits for employees.

Long-Term Struggles

Boeing’s troubles began in 2019 with the crashes of two new 737 Max jets. These accidents led to global grounding of the Max aircraft and severe financial losses for the company. Boeing has struggled to recover ever since, facing:

• Delayed production schedules.
• Decreased demand for aircraft.
• Ongoing reputational damage.

What’s Next for Boeing?

As Boeing continues to face financial and operational challenges, industry analysts are closely watching whether the company can stabilize its operations and rebuild trust with airlines and customers.

The $3.8 billion fourth-quarter loss caps a difficult year for Boeing, raising questions about its future performance and ability to overcome these setbacks.