Alaska Airlines CEO Urges Boeing to Improve Quality Programs After Loose Bolts Found on Max 9 Jets
Alaska Airlines’ CEO, Ben Minicucci, has expressed his frustration and disappointment with Boeing after loose bolts were found on several of the carrier’s Max 9 jets. In a recent interview with NBC News, Minicucci revealed that Alaska’s inspectors discovered the issue, which led to a part of a Max 9 jet coming loose during a flight earlier this month. He emphasized the impact of this incident on the airline, its passengers, and employees, stating, “I am more than frustrated and disappointed. I am angry.”
The discovery of similar issues during inspections at United Airlines further highlights the seriousness of the problem. United Airlines executives announced that they expect to report a first-quarter loss due to the grounding of the Max 9 jets. They are also considering alternative planes for future growth, concerned that the accident and subsequent grounding will cause further delays in certifying the Max 10, a larger version of the aircraft.
The grounding of the Max 9 jets has significant financial and operational implications for Alaska Airlines. Although they have a smaller number of affected aircraft compared to United Airlines, the 65 planes make up about 20 percent of Alaska’s total fleet. The situation has led Michael Leskinen, United’s CFO, to express doubts about Boeing’s ability to meet their contractual deliveries for the Max 10 jets.
The uncertainty surrounding when the FAA will certify the Max 10 for passenger use means that United Airlines will have to move forward without relying on those plane deliveries. However, CEO Scott Kirby remains confident in Boeing’s commitment to change and fix the issues they are facing.
Minicucci also raised concerns about Boeing’s quality control beyond just one plane. He emphasized the need for Boeing to improve its quality programs to ensure that airplanes are delivered at the highest degree of excellence. This sentiment is shared by many in the industry, as the incident with the Alaska flight raises questions about Boeing’s overall quality control.
The incident on the Alaska flight, in which a plug covering an optional emergency exit came off, resulted in the grounding of the Max 9 jets. The FAA has been working with Boeing to develop a plan for inspecting the other Max 9s currently in service to ensure their safety. The grounding has caused thousands of flight cancellations and has shaken confidence in Boeing.
The disruptions caused by the grounding come after a relatively smooth year for the airline industry, with improved conditions and increased profitability. United Airlines reported $600 million in profits for the final quarter of 2023. However, the grounding of the Max 9 jets has now created significant challenges for both United and Alaska Airlines.
Stan Deal, the head of Boeing’s airliner division, acknowledged the disruptions and expressed apologies for the significant disruption caused to airlines, their employees, and passengers. Boeing is taking action to bring the affected airplanes safely back to service and improve their quality and delivery performance.
Both United and Alaska Airlines are awaiting clearance from the FAA to complete formal inspections on the Max 9 jets. The FAA has not provided a timeline for when the aircraft will be cleared to resume flying. In the meantime, Alaska Airlines has increased its oversight of Boeing’s production line, and preliminary inspections have taken approximately 10 hours per door.
The cause of the incident on the Alaska flight is still under investigation, with officials looking into whether the bolts holding the plug in place were properly installed. This investigation has prompted the FAA to launch a separate review of Boeing’s manufacturing process. Boeing has also appointed a new internal adviser to conduct an internal review.
The situation with the Max 9 jets has raised concerns about Boeing’s quality control and has had significant financial and operational impacts on airlines. The industry is closely watching how Boeing addresses these issues and improves its quality programs to ensure the safety and reliability of its aircraft going forward.
