United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has issued a statement to customers in an effort to allay concerns about the carrier's safety following a string of incidents involving its Boeing jets in recent weeks. In his email, Kirby emphasized that safety is the airline's "highest priority" and is "at the center of everything we do."
The statement comes on the heels of several high-profile incidents, including a tire falling from a Japan-bound Boeing 777 shortly after takeoff, damaging cars in a San Francisco airport parking lot, and a missing panel from an older Boeing 737 discovered after landing in Oregon. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating these incidents.
Kirby acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety." He assured customers that while the incidents were "all unrelated," the United Airlines team is thoroughly reviewing the details and "using those insights to inform our safety training and procedures across all employee groups."
The recent mishaps have occurred amidst heightened scrutiny of the aviation industry, particularly after a door plug panel blew off an Alaska Airlines' nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9 on January 5. Other incidents involving United's Boeing 737 Max planes include one rolling off a Houston runway on March 8 and another returning to the airport after ingesting plastic bubble wrap, with video footage showing flames coming out of the engine.
In response to these concerns, Kirby outlined several measures United Airlines is implementing to bolster safety. These include an extra day of in-person training for all pilots starting in May and a centralized training curriculum for new-hire maintenance technicians. The airline is also dedicating more resources to supplier network management to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality control.
Despite the recent incidents, Kirby sought to reassure passengers, stating, "You can be confident that every time a United plane pulls away from the gate, everyone on our team is working together to keep you safe on your trip." The CEO's message is a clear attempt to prevent customers from booking away from the airline, as 81% of United's mainline fleet consists of Boeing jets, compared to just over half for rivals Delta and American Airlines.
The problems faced by United Airlines are not unique, as other carriers have also experienced incidents involving Boeing aircraft. The most dramatic incident this year involved an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 losing a door plug during a flight, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. Investigators found that Boeing had left off the necessary bolts to keep the door plug in place on the 10-week-old jet.
While the age of the aircraft involved in United's incidents suggests that the cause may lie with the airline's personnel rather than Boeing's well-documented quality issues, United's operations have been disrupted by Boeing's problems. The airline has frozen hiring for a new class of pilots due to delays in receiving new planes from Boeing, and its fleet of 737 Max 9 jets was grounded for three weeks in January following the Alaska Air incident.
Kirby has indicated that United is considering purchasing more jets from Boeing's competitor, Airbus, and has expressed frustration with the certification delays of the new 737 Max 10 model due to Boeing's quality and safety problems.
As United Airlines navigates this challenging period, the company's focus on enhancing safety training and procedures, coupled with Kirby's reassurances to customers, demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and regaining passenger confidence. The airline industry as a whole will likely continue to face increased scrutiny as it works to address safety concerns and ensure the well-being of its customers.
