Airline Leaders To Meet With Boeing's Chair Over Safety Concerns, Reportedly Skipping CEO In High-Stakes Talks

Major airline executives reportedly plan to engage in discussions with Boeing Company BA board chair Larry Kellner after recent safety issues raised alarms.

The talks, which exclude CEO David Calhoun, address concerns over an Alaska Air Group Inc ALK mid-air incident and ongoing production challenges, reported Reuters.

Airline CEOs seek meetings with Boeing directors, reportedly expressing discontent over the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 incident, indicating a rare frustration with the company and its leadership. 

Citing a source familiar with the meetings, Reuters reported that the carriers wanted to raise matters directly with Kellner, who previously served as the CEO of Continental Airlines and understands their frustration with the issues. The discussions also involve select foreign airline clients.

The report further cited an unidentified Wall Street analyst who said the decision to hold meetings without Calhoun did not appear to be a good sign for the CEO’s longevity at the company.

Boeing faces escalating pressure from airline partners and regulators, with the FAA emphasizing the need for safety culture and quality improvements before approving any production rate increases.

Also Read: Boeing’s Struggles Cast Shadows Across The Skies, Airbus CEO Reportedly Voices Concern

Price Action: BA shares are trading higher by 0.67% at $188.95 in premarket on the last check Friday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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