Three senior Boeing executives, including CEO Dave Calhoun, are stepping down from their positions amidst an ongoing scandal and federal investigation into the safety of the company’s passenger jets. The announcement was made on Monday by Boeing, signaling a significant shakeup within the aviation giant.
Calhoun confirmed his departure by the end of the year in a statement, while Stan Deal, CEO and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, retired with immediate effect. Larry Kellner, chair of the company’s board of directors, will not seek re-election at the next shareholders’ annual meeting. Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing board member and former Qualcomm CEO, will take over Kellner’s role.
The company has been facing a series of challenges since an incident involving a door panel blowing out on a Boeing 737 Max plane flown by Alaska Airlines in January. The fallout from this event has led to ongoing investigations by the FBI, with passengers potentially being victims of a crime still under investigation.
Despite Boeing’s efforts to improve safety measures and cooperate with federal investigators, passengers have expressed concerns about boarding Boeing aircraft. Calhoun acknowledged the impact of the Alaska Airlines incident on the company in a letter to staff, emphasizing the importance of transparency and a commitment to safety at all levels.
In an interview following the executive departures, Calhoun acknowledged the production pressures facing Boeing and the need to balance efficiency with quality in aircraft manufacturing. He highlighted the significant challenges Boeing has faced in recent years, particularly following the air disasters involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, which raised questions about Boeing’s internal culture and safety protocols.
Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion penalty in 2021 to settle criminal charges related to the 737 Max airplane, admitting to concealing information about the MCAS system’s reliability. The company has since been working to improve its practices and culture to meet safety standards set by regulatory agencies.
The departure of key executives at Boeing reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to address safety concerns and rebuild trust with customers and the public. Analysts have called for a cultural overhaul at Boeing and its suppliers, emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in operations to prioritize safety and quality.
As Boeing navigates these challenges and transitions in leadership, the aviation industry will be closely watching how the company evolves to ensure the safety and reliability of its aircraft in the future.