Boeing on path to ‘transformative change,’ says business aircraft CEO

LONDON- BoeingProduction of 737 Max aircraft is showing signs of improvement, the brand new head of Airbus' business division said ahead of a significant air show on Sunday. At the identical time, he acknowledged that the manufacturer had “disappointed” customers by delaying aircraft.

Boeing is currently attempting to overcome several safety and production crises, including a door stopper failure during flight in January. These crises led to delays within the delivery of aircraft to airlines and prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to extend its oversight of the renowned manufacturer.

Stephanie Pope reiterated in her first press conference since taking over a key role on the struggling aircraft manufacturer in March that Boeing was committed to increasing Max production to 38 units monthly. Analysts said production fell to about 20 units monthly in the primary half of the 12 months.

Pope said Boeing is on target to enhance manufacturing quality, safety and delivery predictability – a “transformative change” that she said will take years.

“But that doesn't change the fact that we have disappointed our customers,” she said at a press conference ahead of the Farnborough Airshow outside London. “We have impacted their business and we have failed to deliver on our commitments and become the partner they expect and need from us.”

Boeing has announced quite a lot of goals to get the corporate back on target, including improving worker training and manufacturing processes. In the spring, Boeing presented the FAA with an improvement plan that the agency had commissioned after the crash in January.

“This plan is not a three-month plan,” Pope said. “I call it transformative because some of these actions will take years.”

As a part of the restructuring that made Pope head of the business division, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his resignation at the top of the 12 months.

When asked if she was involved in the role, Pope said her focus was on the recovery of the business unit.

“That’s my priority,” she said.

Boeing's problems will not be limited to its business program, nevertheless. The defense division can also be combating delays. This includes the loss-making and delayed conversion of two Boeing 747s, that are to function the following two aircraft on Air Force One.

The unit's CEO, Ted Colbert, said Boeing continues to struggle “with some challenges that are really due to supply chain issues.”

Boeing will report its quarterly results on July 31 and is anticipated to announce write-downs for that division, Colbert said at the identical press conference.

image credit : www.cnbc.com