FAA Urges Boeing to Meet Safety Standards Before Increasing 737 MAX Production
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has emphasized that Boeing must meet strict safety standards before it can increase production of its 737 MAX aircraft. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated on Tuesday that the agency has capped Boeing’s 737 MAX production at 38 planes per month until the company fully addresses its safety processes.
In a meeting with Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, Whitaker stressed the importance of following through on Boeing’s quality turnaround plan. This decision comes after a January 5 in-flight emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, which prompted Whitaker to demand a comprehensive safety review from Boeing. The FAA gave the company 90 days to present a plan addressing systemic quality control issues, which Boeing delivered on May 30.
Whitaker highlighted the need for thorough execution of the plan and announced plans for quarterly meetings with Boeing leadership, beginning in September. He reiterated that the FAA will not lift the production cap until Boeing proves that its safety metrics are where they need to be.
The Justice Department is also monitoring Boeing’s actions after the company agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge in July, along with paying $243.6 million in penalties. Ortberg, who assumed the CEO role on August 8, emphasized in a recent employee email the importance of fostering a culture of safety and encouraging employees to speak up about potential issues.
Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Boeing+737
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Reuters.com, money.usnews.com