Washington, DC – Boeing’s chief executive, Dave Calhoun, is set to address US lawmakers on Tuesday amidst concerns about the company’s safety culture following a mid-air emergency in January. Calhoun will acknowledge the gravity of the situation and express the company’s commitment to taking action and making progress.
The spotlight on Boeing intensified after an incident where an unused door fell off a new 737 Max plane during a flight operated by Alaska Airlines, resulting in a significant damage. Whistleblowers raised concerns about serious production issues with various Boeing models during a Senate hearing in April.
This is not the first time Boeing has faced scrutiny over safety and quality control conditions, with previous incidents involving fatal crashes of 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019. Calhoun, who took over as CEO in 2020 in the aftermath of these tragedies, is expected to apologize to the families affected during his testimony.
Family members of the victims have been vocal in seeking justice and are planning to attend the hearing to hear firsthand about safety improvements made by the corporation. Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the need for Boeing to address its broken safety culture, urging the company to prioritize safety over profits.
Calhoun expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities in the recent Alaska Airlines incident and highlighted Boeing’s cooperation with investigations and efforts to address potential issues. The company presented regulators with a plan in May to enhance the quality of its aircraft, aiming to regain trust and ensure safety for passengers and employees.