Boeing to receive more oversight as 737 Max production restarts, FAA says
- The Federal Aviation Administration will increase oversight of Boeing (NYSE:BA) as the plane maker prepares to restart production of the 737 Max with this week’s end to a 53-day strike, the agency said.
- FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker spoke with Boeing (BA) Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg this week and stressed the importance of Boeing’s (BA) using its system for managing safety risks with the restart, the agency said.
- The FAA maintained its enhanced on-site presence at Boeing (BA) factories throughout the strike “and will further strengthen and target our oversight as the company begins its return-to-work plan.”
- Boeing hasn’t said yet when production of the best-selling plane will re-start.
- The FAA in January capped Boeing’s (BA) output of the 737 Max after a new model of the plane lost a door panel shortly after takeoff. The agency has said it won’t allow Boeing (BA) to increase production until the company shows that it has fixed its safety culture.
- Boeing (BA) in September halted production of the 737 Max after members of its biggest labor union went on strike. Workers this week voted to accept Boeing’s (BA) offer of pay raises and other benefits.