SEATTLE: US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has lost its way and the trust of the American people following a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Boeing 737 MAX, as well as two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Friday.
Duffy also stated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is not yet prepared to lift the 38-plane-per-month production cap on the 737 MAX.
“When you breach the trust of the American people regarding safety and manufacturing, we’re going to hold you accountable to ensure you change your ways and start doing things right,” Duffy told Fox News after visiting Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, on Thursday. “They’ve lost trust.”
During his visit, Duffy met with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, following last year’s mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 that was missing four key bolts. Ortberg is scheduled to testify before Congress on April 2.
Boeing stated that it was pleased to showcase its progress to Duffy and Rocheleau, emphasizing efforts to enhance safety and quality. “Our team continues to work on improving our culture and rebuilding trust,” the company said in a statement.
At a press conference on Friday, Duffy acknowledged that Boeing’s new leadership is implementing changes. “They understand the issues and are making improvements in manufacturing,” he told reporters in Seattle. “I think they are making progress, but they still need tough oversight.”
Duffy’s factory visit coincided with the sixth anniversary of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, which claimed 157 lives and prompted significant changes to the 737 MAX’s design and pilot training protocols.
“In the past, everyone was critical of Boeing, and rightly so. But today, I believe America is rooting for them to succeed,” Duffy added.
In January 2024, former President Joe Biden’s FAA Administrator, Mike Whitaker, imposed a 38-plane monthly production cap after the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX incident. Duffy noted that Boeing has yet to reach this production threshold.
“They need to demonstrate sustained quality improvements before we consider lifting the cap,” Duffy said. “We have to take a calculated risk at some point, but we’re not there yet.”
Duffy also stated that President Donald Trump does not want the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to take unnecessary risks with safety but expects a balanced approach. “He wants us to be cautious but not overly restrictive. When the time is right, we should ease production restrictions on Boeing,” he said.
In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay at least $243.6 million after violating a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. The US Department of Justice found that Boeing allowed potentially unsafe manufacturing practices and failed to ensure accurate record-keeping for its aircraft.
