In response to delays in receiving new planes ordered from Boeing, United Airlines has requested its pilots to take time off in May. The voluntary program is aimed at reducing excess staffing caused by the forecasted reduction in flight hours, as stated by United spokesperson Leslie Scott on Monday.

According to a note obtained by The Associated Press, United expects to make similar requests for time off throughout the summer and possibly into the fall. The Air Line Pilots Association confirmed that the offered leaves and unpaid time off are not mandatory.

Boeing, which has been grappling with manufacturing problems, declined to comment on the situation. United, on the other hand, has adjusted its expectations, acknowledging that it will not receive all the Boeing jetliners initially planned for this year and the next.

Earlier this year, United stated it was contractually entitled to receive 191 planes in 2022 and 127 in 2023. However, the airline now anticipates only 88 deliveries in 2022 and 64 in 2023. The majority of the shortfall consists of Boeing 737 Max planes, including a new, larger model.

One of the reasons for the delay in receiving the planes is the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ongoing investigation into production quality issues at Boeing. Since a panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in January, the FAA has intensified scrutiny on the airline, further prolonging the approval process for the Max 10 model.

In light of these circumstances, United is exploring alternatives to replace its orders for the Max 10 planes. The grounding of United's Max 9s for inspections following the Alaska incident also contributed to the airline's expected losses in the first quarter.

United CEO Scott Kirby, along with other airline executives, has voiced concerns regarding Boeing's issues and has sought a meeting with Boeing directors. Last week, Boeing announced a leadership shakeup, with CEO David Calhoun scheduled to step down at the end of the year.

Though shares of Boeing fell 1.5%, United Airlines Holdings experienced a minor increase of less than 1% in afternoon trading on Monday.

The full extent of the impact on United's operations and financial results will likely be revealed when the airline releases its first-quarter results on April 16. As the situation continues to unfold, airlines and Boeing are striving to address the challenges posed by production delays and regulatory scrutiny.