Boeing AERO 2014 article 4 Lightning strikes can affect airline operations and cause costly delays and service interruptions. Strikes to airplanes are relatively common but rarely result in a significant impact to the continued safe operation of the airplane. Lightning protection is used on Boeing airplanes to avoid delays and interruptions as well as reduce the significance of the strike. To increase the effectiveness of repairs to damage caused by lightning, maintenance personnel must be familiar with lightning protection measures, proper inspection, and repair procedures.