Boeing is set to restart production of its 737 MAX aircraft later this month, according to FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. This comes more than a month after the machinists union strike ended, delaying manufacturing efforts. Whitaker recently visited the company’s 737 plant in Renton, Washington, where he met with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to discuss the company’s plans and assess progress on the Boeing 737 MAX production.
Boeing has emphasized its commitment to workforce training and improving its supply chain as it prepares to resume operations. Whitaker stated, “They’re focused on their workforce, training, and supply chain for the Boeing 737 MAX production.” A follow-up meeting is scheduled for January to review developments.
To restart production, Boeing must first adopt an effective Safety Management System (SMS). The SMS will incorporate “policies and procedures to proactively identify and address potential operational hazards,” ensuring that key suppliers like Spirit AeroSystems deliver complete and high-quality components essential for the Boeing 737 MAX production.
This enhanced safety framework is designed to address potential risks and streamline the inspection process, further supporting Boeing’s plans for a successful Boeing 737 MAX production restart.
Changes in Leadership for the 737 MAX Program
The 737 MAX program has seen leadership changes during this transitional period. Ed Clark, who led the program in the post-pandemic era, stepped down from his position in April after 18 years with Boeing. Katie Ringgold has since taken over as Vice President and General Manager of the 737 program and the Renton plant, overseeing the production of Boeing 737 MAX.
These changes in leadership reflect Boeing’s broader efforts to strengthen its management and operational processes as the company rebuilds its production capabilities.
In an exclusive interview with NBC Nightly News, Whitaker addressed questions about Boeing’s challenges and safety concerns. When asked whether Boeing is “too big to fail,” Whitaker responded, “Well, I think I would say that they failed. And I think if you look at what happened in January, that was a failure and they are going through a pretty substantial reset. They have the resources to do this reset and rebuild in a much higher quality, safer manner. And that’s this process.” He is confident in their Boeing 737 MAX production plans.
He also spoke about safety improvements in aviation, particularly with runway incursions and near-miss incidents, stating, “Well I think it’s actually been pretty significant improvement, but it’s still too much. So these close calls need to be completely eliminated.”
When asked about his future with the FAA, Whitaker said, “I’m just now in discussions with the transition team, my focus has been on keeping the work going and keeping the skies safe and keeping the workforce focused on our mission. But those, those discussions are early on, so no decision at this point.”
