Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg Confronts FAA Regulatory Scrutiny Amid Safety Concerns

New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg met with FAA head Mike Whitaker to address regulatory issues, discuss safety plans, and focus on cultural changes within the company. Boeing's production of the 737 MAX remains halted, and the company faces various challenges, including labor negotiations, quality oversight, and the suspension of 777x test flights.

New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg met this week with the head of the Federal Aviation Administration as the planemaker faces numerous regulatory issues and increased scrutiny, an agency official confirmed. Ortberg informed employees on Friday via email that he had engaged with the FAA to discuss the company's safety and quality plan.

Ortberg, who assumed the role of CEO on Aug. 8, emphasized the company's commitment to a culture change, empowering employees to speak up about potential issues, and pooling the right resources for problem-solving. Ortberg also held his first board meeting and met with Pentagon and other officials, while the company continues labor negotiations.

FAA administrator Mike Whitaker, who banned Boeing from increasing 737 MAX production in January following a door panel incident, is planning a September visit to Seattle to review Boeing's quality measures. He has stated that the FAA will maintain its heightened on-site presence at Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems.

This month, Boeing halted test flights of its 777x pending certification after discovering cracks in components during maintenance checks. The company began certification flight testing of the 777-9 in July, a step deemed critical for new airplane certification.

In recent developments, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy charges and will pay at least $243.6 million after violating a 2021 agreement with the U.S. Justice Department.

(With inputs from agencies.)