Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told lawmakers Wednesday the company will not accelerate production of its 737 MAX aircraft until it achieves "a stable system," as the planemaker continues grappling with fallout from a series of safety failures and regulatory restrictions. Speaking before the Senate Commerce Committee, Ortberg said Boeing is prioritizing quality over speed following a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a newly delivered 737 MAX 9.
"I'm not pressuring the team to go fast. I'm pressuring the team to do it right," Ortberg said. He added, "I suspect it will be sometime this year" before the company can resume building more than 38 MAX aircraft per month, the current cap imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA limited production after a door panel blew off an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 shortly after takeoff, prompting renewed scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing and quality assurance practices. The aircraft had reportedly left the factory without four key bolts.
Ortberg, who assumed the CEO role in August after Dave Calhoun stepped down amid mounting criticism, told senators that Boeing has "made drastic changes to our internal process to ensure that this will never happen again." He said customers remain frustrated by delays, but "they know we've got to do this right."
The production cap is just one of several issues dogging Boeing. The company is still awaiting FAA certification of two new MAX variants. Meanwhile, a criminal fraud case stemming from Boeing's earlier representations about the MAX aircraft continues to cast a shadow over the manufacturer.
In 2023, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a federal conspiracy charge and pay $243.6 million for breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement tied to the deadly MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed 346 people. A judge last week scheduled a trial for June 23 after reports that Boeing might attempt to withdraw from the plea agreement.
Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas), who chairs the Commerce Committee, criticized Boeing's oversight structure. "Insufficient oversight of third-party suppliers and a lack of sufficient internal auditing procedures created an unsustainable, lack of safety culture at Boeing," Cruz said.
Ortberg acknowledged the company's "serious missteps" and pledged "sweeping changes" to Boeing's safety culture. But he stopped short of providing a definitive timeline for reaching higher production levels, saying stability must come first.
Ortberg also addressed questions on Boeing's delayed Air Force One delivery schedule, trade tariffs, and competition in defense contracting. Despite ongoing turbulence, Boeing recently scored a win with the U.S. Air Force selecting the company to supply its next generation of fighter jets-beating rival Lockheed Martin for the lucrative contract.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has remained critical of Boeing, telling reporters last month that the company had "lost the trust of the American people" and would require strict oversight to regain it. His remarks followed growing calls for reform inside the FAA and among regulators internationally.
