Boeing lost its way and lost American confidence after the January 2024 air emergency, which included a new Boeing 737 Max Jetliner and two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as the trust of Americans, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday.
Duffy also said the Federal Aviation Administration is not yet ready to raise the 737 Max 38-plane production cap per month.
“It's a breaches American trust with its safety and manufacturing, and after visiting Fox News “Falkner Focus” after visiting the Boeing 737 Factory in Renton, Washington on Thursday, I'm going to change your way and put the screws to get things done right. “They lost their trust.”
Duffy traveled to Washington to meet Boeing CEO Kelly Autoberg and played FAA administrator Chris Rocherou, following a blowout on the mid-air panel, which lost four key bolts on the new Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 plane last year. Autoberg testifies before Congress on April 2.
Boeing said he was pleased to show Duffy and Rocherrow “advances to further enhance safety and quality.” Our team continues to work on improving our culture and rebuilding trust. ”
Duffy said at a press conference Friday that Boeing's new leadership is making improvements.
“They get it and are making a difference in manufacturing,” he told reporters in Seattle. “I think they're making progress, but they still need tough love.”
Duffy announced its factory visit on the sixth anniversary of the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines 302 flight 302, bringing all 157 people on board, leading to changes in the design and pilot training of the 737 Max.
Previously, “Everyone was punching Boeing, but they were angry and obviously. I think we're in the space where America is rooting for them today,” Duffy added.
In January 2024, then FAA administrator Mike Whitaker imposed a monthly production cap of 38 planes following the Alaska Airlines 737 Max incident.
Duffy pointed out that Boeing is not currently close to producing 38 largest planes a month.
Once they improved the quality “we have to take risks to them”, Duffy said lifted the cap, but “we're not there yet.”
Duffy said President Trump doesn't want the Department of Transport to pose any safety risks, but “hopes we won't be too restricted.” He wants us to be smarter and ease production restrictions when Boeing is right. ”
Boeing in July agreed to pay at least $243.6 million after pleading guilty to conspiracy to criminal fraud and violating a 2021 postponed prosecutor's agreement. The Justice Department said Boeing allowed potentially dangerous work at the factory and did not guarantee that record keeping on major planes was accurate.
