Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr says the continued US government shutdown is causing some delays in Boeing aircraft certifications and deliveries, complicating the airline’s fleet renewal plan, Bloomberg reports.

Speaking at an event in Frankfurt International on October 21 to name one of Lufthansa's new B787-9s, Spohr said: "The shutdown means that FAA employees who we need for certifications and licensing do not show up for duty at this time, which may result in further minor delays."

As a result, Lufthansa’s B787-9, featuring its new Allegris cabin, will continue flying with most business-class seats blocked while awaiting FAA approval, keeping some of the airline’s highest-priced tickets off sale until at least the end of the year. Despite this, Lufthansa will continue flying the B787-9 to accelerate pilot training and expects to receive up to nine more this year, equivalent to one new delivery every two weeks.

Lufthansa already operates seven B787-9s with 28 more due for delivery, according to ch-aviation data. The airline expects to have 78 modern long-haul aircraft with the Allegris cabin on board in the next few years.

Spohr said the airline could also face delays with Boeing’s 777X, which is now slated to launch in early 2027, six years later than initially expected. Lufthansa is the launch customer for the wide-body jet series with twenty-one B777-9 on order.

"It is important to us that the aircraft is available in the summer of 2027, when we launch our entire fleet," Spohr said. "We have no doubts about that from today’s perspective."