A top United Airlines executive has suggested the loss of experienced staff during the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame for Boeing’s recent string of problems.
United Airlines Executive Vice President of Finance Gerry Laderman made the observation at the Aviation Economics conference in Dublin, Reuters reported.
“Experience is important, and they need to have a good experienced team to right the ship,” Laderman said.
“Part of the problem for many industrial companies is that nobody realizes the difficulties we will all face when we come out of COVID,” he continued.
“Especially the supply chain but also the lack of seniors and a lot of retirements: the knowledge base. That affects everybody, and I think that’s part of what’s happening at Boeing and … it’s going to take time.”
Laderman said he would not comment on whether there should be a management change at the plane maker, according to Reuters.
Boeing 737 Max 9 jet aircraft in the company’s hangar. AP
Boeing has faced setbacks since a door plug on a 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines broke off mid-flight earlier this month, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all 737 MAX 9 planes pending a safety investigation.
The apparent cause of the crash may have been the loss of bolts intended to attach the door plugs when the plane left the Boeing factory, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Since the incident, lawmakers have pressured Boeing to withdraw a request for a key safety exemption that could have allowed regulators to speed up certification of the upcoming 737 MAX 7 plane. Boeing said it would do so on Monday.
The Airline Economy Conference taking place this week is being closely watched as executives from major airlines – many of whom are Boeing customers – react to the problems at Boeing.
Since the incident, lawmakers have pressured Boeing to withdraw requests for major safety exemptions for its next jet. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Conference delegates said Boeing’s decision raised questions about the timing of the larger, widely sold MAX 10, whose certification is expected a year after the MAX 7.
United, the leading operator of the MAX 9, has ordered 277 of the larger MAX 10 planes, for which Boeing has also been expected to request an exemption.
CEO Scott Kirby has reportedly visited rival Airbus to discuss buying more A321neos amid a controversy with Boeing, Reuters reported.
A United Airlines executive said staff losses throughout the pandemic may have contributed to Boeing’s problems. AFP via Getty Images
Laderman, who is retiring after stepping down as chief financial officer, told Reuters he no longer tracks Kirby’s journey. He noted that Airbus also had delivery problems, with the A321neo in strong demand but in short supply.
“Yes there is a Boeing issue. But remember, for very different reasons, Airbus also has problems, mostly related to say the supply chain.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
