Boeing lost trust of Americans, needs strict oversight, US official says

Source: Reuters

March 15, 2025 2:47 PM EDT Updated 3 hours ago


WASHINGTON/SEATTLE, March 14 (Reuters) - U.S. planemaker Boeing(BA.N) lost its way and also lost the trust of the American people after a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Boeing 737 MAX and two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday. Duffy also said the Federal Aviation Administration is not yet ready to lift a 38-plane per month production cap on the 737 MAX.

"When you breach the trust of the American people with that safety and with your manufacturing, we're going to put the screws to you to make sure you change your ways and start doing things right," Duffy told Fox News Channel’s The Faulkner Focus after a visit on Thursday to the Boeing 737 factory in Renton, Washington. "They've lost trust."

Duffy traveled to Washington and met with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, along with acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, following last year's mid-air panel blowout on a new Alaska Airlines (ALK.N) 737 MAX 9 airplane that was missing four key bolts. Ortberg will testify April 2 before Congress.

Boeing said it was pleased to show Duffy and Rocheleau "the progress we're making to further strengthen 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 they are making the changes in manufacturing," he told reporters in Seattle. "I think they are making progress but they still need tough love."

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/boeing-lost-trust-with-americans-needs-strict-oversight-us-official-2025-03-14/