Boeing’s top executive apologizes over Max 9 problem, promises solution

Alaska has started returning its Boeing 737 Max 9 planes to service (Representational)

Washington:

A top Boeing executive has apologized for problems caused by a door plug bursting during an Alaska Airlines flight and vowed to regain the trust of customers and regulators.

The comments from Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing’s commercial aircraft unit, came Friday as Alaska began returning its 737 Max 9 planes to service after a mid-air emergency focused intense scrutiny on the aviation giant.

“Our long-term focus is on improving our quality so we can regain the trust of our customers, our regulator and the flying public,” Deal wrote in a note to employees. “Frankly, we have disappointed and disappointed them. We are deeply sorry for the significant disruption and disappointment to our customers.

He added, “We have to provide the best airplane every time.”

In the weeks following the incident, Deal said it had taken several steps “to strengthen quality assurance and controls.”

They included adding new levels of quality checks and appointing Kirkland Donald, a retired Navy admiral, to oversee an independent review of Boeing’s safety and quality practices.

This week, 10,000 Boeing employees working on 737 MAX production stopped their work for a day to discuss ways to improve safety practices, according to Deal, “a quality stand-down on a scale we have not seen before.” ve never.”

Following Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Aeromexico and Turkish Airlines are also set to return their 737 MAX9s to service “in the coming days,” Deal said.

The US Federal Aviation Administration grounded 171 MAX 9 planes after a January 5 incident in which a door plug burst mid-flight.

Although no one was seriously injured, inspectors have said the incident could have been catastrophic.

The U.S. Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident and is expected to report on its findings next week.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)