New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg Meets with FAA Chief Amidst Regulatory Scrutiny and Safety Concerns

New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg held his inaugural meeting with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker this week, as the planemaker grapples with heightened regulatory scrutiny and safety issues. The meeting underscores Ortberg’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing Boeing and implementing significant changes within the company.

Ortberg, who assumed the role of CEO on August 8, outlined the company’s safety and quality improvement plans during the discussion. In an email to employees on Friday, Ortberg emphasized Boeing’s dedication to fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to raise concerns and contribute to problem-solving efforts.

This meeting follows a series of setbacks for Boeing, including a recent incident where a door panel blew out on a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX, leading the FAA to impose restrictions on production increases. Additionally, Boeing has faced increased oversight from the FAA, which has been critical of the agency’s previous hands-off approach to monitoring Boeing’s operations.

The FAA has committed to maintaining an elevated on-site presence at Boeing and its fuselage supplier, Spirit Aerosystems, for the foreseeable future. This move aligns with FAA Administrator Whitaker’s earlier comments about the need for more robust oversight.

Boeing’s regulatory challenges also include a suspension of test flights for its 777x, following the discovery of cracks in critical components during maintenance checks. Despite these issues, the company has made progress with its 777-9 certification flight testing, which is a crucial step in the multi-step certification process.

In addition to these technical and regulatory hurdles, Boeing is also navigating ongoing labor negotiations. The company recently agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay a $243.6 million settlement for breaching a 2021 agreement with the U.S. Justice Department.

As Boeing moves forward under Ortberg’s leadership, the focus remains on addressing safety concerns, enhancing regulatory compliance, and improving overall operational quality.