Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, along with several other top executives, has announced their resignation in the wake of the Alaska Airlines incident. The departure of these executives comes as Boeing faces increasing scrutiny over the quality of its products. In a company-wide message, Calhoun acknowledged that this is a “watershed moment” for Boeing after a door panel blew out on a 737 Max-9 flown by Alaska Airlines in January.
Calhoun emphasized the need for transparency and a commitment to safety and quality at all levels of the company. He acknowledged that the eyes of the world are on Boeing, and the company must work to regain trust from the public, government regulators, and the flying industry. While Calhoun expressed hope that Boeing will emerge from this difficult period as a better company, he also announced that 2024 will be his last year as CEO.
The departure of Calhoun is accompanied by immediate leadership changes within Boeing. Larry Kellner, the board chairman, will not seek re-election at the upcoming annual general meeting. Steve Mollenkopf has been elected as the new chair and will lead the process of finding a new CEO for Boeing. Additionally, Stan Deal, the chief executive and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is retiring and will be replaced by Stephanie Pope, who has been the chief operating officer since January.
Calhoun acknowledged that Boeing has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly with the Boeing 737 MAX crisis. The grounding of the 737 MAX by global aviation regulators following fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia led to lawsuits against the company, including one by the U.S. Department of Justice. Despite navigating Boeing through this crisis, Calhoun’s successor will have to address the fallout from the Alaska Airlines incident.
In a recent development, passengers onboard the flight that experienced the door plug blowout have been informed by the FBI that they may have been victims of a possible crime. The FBI is currently investigating the case, although updates on the progress of the investigation are not available at this time. The passengers have been informed that they are entitled to certain services as victims of a federal crime.
Overall, Boeing is facing a critical period as it deals with the fallout from the Alaska Airlines incident and works to regain trust in its products. The resignation of top executives, including CEO Dave Calhoun, marks a significant moment for the company. The incoming CEO will need to address the ongoing challenges and ensure that safety and quality remain top priorities for Boeing moving forward.
