Boeing has come under intense criticism since a door plug panel tore off a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet at 16,000 feet. — Reuters picNEW YORK, March 29 ― The new head of Boeing's troubled commercial airplane unit said the planemaker faces a “pivotal moment” as it works to boost quality and address significant concerns from regulators and airline customers after a panel flew off a 737 MAX 9 jet in January.
Pope was named chief operating officer in December and retains the title after holding a wide range of prior jobs at Boeing.On Monday, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would leave by the end of the year, while the company's long-time head of commercial airplanes, Stan Deal, retired effectively immediately and the board chair Larry Kellner stepped down and was replaced as chair by director Steve Mollenkopf.
He said Boeing's board would be focused on leadership qualities in its CEO search. “This is a big company going through tremendous challenge right now,” Culp said, saying the planemaker must be thinking about long-term product and corporate strategy. “It won't be enough to get through the challenges of 2024.”Boeing has come under intense criticism since a door plug panel tore off a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet at 16,000 feet.
Boeing production has fallen below the maximum 38 MAX planes per month the FAA is allowing. The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the MAX 9 incident.