Boeing Boss Dave Calhoun to Depart Amid Safety Crisis
In a shocking turn of events, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced his departure at the end of this year as the company grapples with a deepening crisis surrounding its safety record.
Additionally, the head of Boeing’s commercial airlines division will retire immediately, and the chairman will not seek re-election, further shaking up the leadership at the embattled aerospace giant.
The recent incident involving an unused door blowing out of a Boeing 737 Max has once again put Boeing’s safety and quality control standards under intense scrutiny.
Calhoun took over as CEO in early 2020 following the ouster of Dennis Muilenburg in the wake of a major scandal that saw two 737 Max planes crash within five months, resulting in the tragic loss of 346 lives.
Despite Calhoun’s promises to enhance Boeing’s safety culture and rebuild trust, a new setback occurred in January when an emergency exit door detached from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max mid-flight due to missing bolts.
Boeing now faces a criminal investigation and legal action from passengers, adding to the mounting challenges the company is confronting.
Calhoun acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “The eyes of the world are on us, and I know that we will come through this moment a better company.”
In response to the Alaska Airlines incident, Calhoun emphasized the need for humility and transparency as Boeing navigates this critical juncture.
The Federal Aviation Administration recently uncovered multiple instances of manufacturing quality control lapses at Boeing and its supplier, Spirit Aerosystems, further complicating the company’s recovery efforts.
With a history of concealing critical information from regulators and settling fraud charges, Boeing has faced allegations of prioritizing profits over passenger safety.
As part of the leadership shake-up, Stan Deal will also depart as head of Boeing’s commercial airlines division, with Stephanie Pope stepping in as his successor.
Larry Kellner will relinquish his role as chair to Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing board member and former Qualcomm CEO, who will spearhead the search for a new chief executive to lead the company forward. — BBC
