The Real Reason Behind All Those Grounded Flights

In the United States, one of the big news stories is of top airlines’ continued failures to work around a rash of technical glitches that ground entire fleets for a day- or more.

The immediate response by the airlines each time is an expressive apology. 

Here is my thought for you today:

For the airlines, what is the real problem?

That’s the key question.

In the world of business, we often react to symptoms. A dip in sales, a rise in costs, or a customer complaint – these trigger immediate responses. But true mastery in problem resolution lies in digging deeper, understanding the root causes. 

The airline industry, with its recent parade of operational woes, offers a masterclass in this very lesson.

Consider the headlines: widespread delays, unexpected cancellations, IT outages grounding entire fleets, and the never-ending scramble for parts. At first glance, one might blame a "bad day," or perhaps a single technical glitch. 

But if you’re thinking like a strategist, you know these are mere symptoms of deeper systemic challenges.

The Interconnected Roots of Airline Chaos

1. The Ghost in the Machine: Just a few days ago Alaska Airlines faced an IT outage that halted operations. This isn't just about a server going down. It’s a stark reminder that many airlines, operating on legacy systems built decades ago, are navigating modern demands with outdated digital frameworks. 

2. The Supply Chain Straitjacket: Boeing and Airbus face their own supply chain nightmares – shortages of critical components, labor issues, and production bottlenecks. The root cause here is a global manufacturing ecosystem struggling to recalibrate after unprecedented disruption.

3. Talent Shortages in Critical Roles. The industry is facing significant shortages, exacerbated by early retirements during the pandemic and a slow pipeline for new talent. This forces airlines to stretch existing staff, leading to fatigue, increased overtime costs, and ultimately, a reduced capacity to operate all scheduled flights. 

Here is a rule of thumb.

1. If you have a undesirable outcome in your business one time — it is probably just a random event.

2. If the same undesirable outcome happens in your business two times — I start getting suspicious that you might have a systemic problem hiding beneath the surface.

3. When the same undesirable outcome happens in your business three times… then I “know” it’s a systemic problem and root cause begins. 

That is why it is so vital to distinguish between the symptoms in your business vs. the underlying problems that cause them.

The challenges faced by the airline industry are not unique to aviation. They are magnified examples of issues impacting businesses across sectors – the need for robust operational analytics, sustained cost transformation that builds resilience, and a deep, structured root cause analysis to truly improve performance.