FAA Chief: Boeing's Safety Culture Overhaul May Take Up to Five Years

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker informed Congress that implementing safety culture improvements at Boeing will take three to five years. Whitaker emphasized Boeing's recent progress but noted the long-term nature of cultural change. Hearings are ongoing about Boeing's safety improvements and past incidents.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker revealed on Tuesday before a U.S. House subcommittee that Boeing's efforts to revamp its safety culture could span three to five years.

"It is not a six-month program -- it is a three-year to five-year program," Whitaker stated, citing ongoing discussions with Boeing's leadership, including CEO Kelly Ortberg and the board of directors. Although Boeing has shown substantial short-term progress, Whitaker remarked, "On culture it is a long-term project.... There is progress but they are not where they need to be." Currently, Congress is conducting two days of hearings focused on Boeing's safety transformations.

Whitaker criticized the FAA's previous oversight as "too hands off," following a mid-air emergency in an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January. Both the FAA and the Justice Department are investigating the incident. Emphasizing enhanced FAA scrutiny, Whitaker has halted Boeing from increasing 737 MAX production until safety improvements are verified. He described this cap as providing crucial leverage.

In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge, pay at least $243.6 million, and invest $455 million into safety and compliance programs under independent supervision for three years. Lawmakers voiced dissatisfaction with Boeing over fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Representative Steve Cohen commented, "We don't want Airbus to get all the planes (sales) but Boeing keeps messing up. For America's interests, Boeing needs to get its act together."

(With inputs from agencies.)