Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg assured lawmakers on Wednesday that the company is prioritizing safety over speed following a mid-air emergency involving a 737 MAX 9 in early 2024. Addressing the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, Ortberg emphasized that Boeing’s focus remains on getting processes right rather than rushing production.
"I'm not pushing the team to go faster—I’m pushing them to do it correctly," Ortberg stated. He expressed optimism that Boeing could resume producing 38 MAX jets per month later this year and potentially increase output but stopped short of setting a firm timeline. "I suspect it will happen sometime this year," he added, noting that while airlines are frustrated with delivery delays, they understand the need for a cautious approach.
The scrutiny comes after a January incident where a MAX 9 aircraft experienced a mid-flight emergency due to missing bolts, reigniting concerns over Boeing’s quality control and regulatory oversight. "We've implemented significant internal changes to prevent this from happening again," Ortberg assured.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) capped production of the 737 MAX at 38 planes per month. Boeing is also awaiting FAA approval for two additional MAX variants.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz criticized Boeing’s oversight practices, stating, "A failure to properly monitor third-party suppliers and a lack of thorough internal audits have fostered an unsafe culture at Boeing." Ortberg acknowledged past failures, admitting that the company had made "serious missteps" but insisted it has since enacted "sweeping reforms."
Beyond safety concerns, Ortberg is also expected to face questions about delays in delivering Air Force One, the impact of trade tariffs, and the company’s legal troubles. Boeing recently agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to misrepresentations about the 737 MAX before two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that claimed 346 lives.
Ortberg, who took over as CEO in August 2024, stepped into the role following the resignation of his predecessor, Dave Calhoun. Calhoun’s departure came in the wake of the Alaska Airlines mid-air panel failure, after which he testified before Congress.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently stated that Boeing had "lost the trust of the American people" and required strict oversight. The former head of the FAA also warned that cultural change within Boeing could take years.
A U.S. judge has set a trial date for June 23 following reports that Boeing was considering backing out of its plea agreement related to the 737 MAX fraud case.