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United asks pilots to take unpaid leave in May because of delivery delays at Boeing


United Airlines says it's trying to reduce pilot staffing levels next month because it's not receiving as many new 737 Max planes as expected, the latest fallout from manufacturing problems at Boeing.

"We are offering our pilots voluntary programs for the month of May to reduce excess staffing," a United spokesperson said in a statement to NPR, attributing the decision to "recent delays in Boeing deliveries." Boeing says it's slowed production at its factory near Seattle to focus on quality and safety, as regulators at the Federal Aviation Administration push the company and its supplier for a plan to fix widespread manufacturing problems. "Deliveries are going to be way behind what they expected," United CEO Scott Kirby said at an investor conference last month, confirming that the company has looked into buying additional planes from Boeing's rival, Airbus.

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