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Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has assured US lawmakers that the company is prioritizing worker safety and production quality over speed as it works to address ongoing issues after a 2024 in-flight emergency involving a 737 MAX 9.
Speaking at a US Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Ortberg said Boeing is committed to long-term improvements in safety culture.
“I’m not pressuring the team to go fast. I’m pressuring the team to do it right,” he told senators, emphasizing that while the company aims to resume producing 38 737 MAX planes per month and eventually exceed that number, no firm timeline has been set.
Airline customers remain frustrated by delivery delays, Ortberg acknowledged, but he said they recognize the need for Boeing to implement rigorous safety measures before increasing production. “They know we’ve got to do this right,” he said.
The hearing comes amid intensified regulatory and legislative scrutiny after a MAX 9 door plug failure in January, which exposed missing bolts and reignited concerns about Boeing’s internal processes.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by capping MAX production at 38 planes per month, while also withholding approval for two new MAX models until safety concerns are addressed.
Senate panel criticizes Boeing oversight
The Senate Commerce Committee, led by Texas Republican Ted Cruz, raised concerns about Boeing’s past quality control failures, particularly in supplier oversight and internal auditing. “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 that Boeing has made “serious missteps” but insisted that “sweeping changes” have been introduced to prevent similar incidents. The company has overhauled internal processes to enhance safety and quality assurance, he told lawmakers.
Beyond the MAX 9 investigation, Ortberg is also facing questions over Boeing’s delayed Air Force One delivery schedule, trade policy concerns, and legal troubles linked to its handling of the 737 MAX crisis. The company’s reputation remains under pressure following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that led to criminal investigations and public backlash.
FAA and regulators demand reforms
Boeing’s safety culture has come under fire from multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently stated that Boeing had “lost the trust of the American people” and called for strict oversight. A former FAA administrator previously warned that meaningful cultural change at Boeing could take years to achieve.
Boeing’s legal challenges continue, with a criminal fraud conspiracy trial set for June 23. The company had previously agreed to a plea deal in July 2023 after violating a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, but recent reports suggest Boeing may seek to renegotiate its settlement terms.
Ortberg, who became CEO in August 2024 following the resignation of Dave Calhoun, is under pressure to restore confidence in Boeing’s operations. His testimony signals an effort to reassure regulators, workers, and airline customers that safety and workplace wellbeing are at the forefront of the company’s strategy.
