Aviation Buzz -

?The Crisis at Boeing: Charting a Path to Recovery?

?An advertising slogan from the 1950s, screamed, “If It’s not Boeing, then I aint going”. Those were the lofty days of aviation in the United States, and market leadership had shifted to the Boeing Airline and Transport Corporation, the company founded in 1920s by William Boeing.

Today the reverse could not be more true, there are people who refuse to board a Boeing Max even now. Why and how did Boeing dip from the lofty heights of world dominance to the boondocks of Aviation.

I have been a Boeing fanboy as far back as I can remember. Boeing is a company that I have loved and admired for decades, and my first passenger flight ever was on a Boeing, my first crew flight ever was also on a Boeing, and I flew them for 37 years, and my last flight was on a 777-300 ER. Hence I am a Boeing boy, pretty much inside out. My Dad took delivery of two Boeing 747-200s back in the day, I was privileged to take delivery of one 777-200 LR, one 737-300 ER, and attend the early meets on the 787 at Seattle.

?It’s important to look at the major crises faced by Boeing before build a runway to their redemption.

1.???? 737 MAX Crisis: fatal crashes of Lion Air 610 in 2018 & Ethiopian 302 in 2019 MCAS errors and the massive coverups that the investigation uncovered.

2.???? Production Quality Issues: at the 787 fleet line in 2020 & the FAAs investigations.

3.???? 737 NG Pickle fork cracks : In October 2019, Boeing disclosed that cracks had been found in the pickle forks of some older models of its 737 Next Generation (NG)

4.???? Spacecraft Issues: Boeing's aerospace division, faced challenges in December 2019, Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft experienced a software glitch during an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS),

5.???? Alaska Air Door plug blow out on the 737-900 , causing grounding of the entire fleet, & world-wide inspections on the 737-900 ER fleet and FAA monitoring of production.

These problems have had significant implications for Boeing, including financial losses, damage to its reputation, and increased regulatory scrutiny and completely eroded public trust.

?In the interim the conservative European aircraft maker Airbus, has shot ahead and grabbed a lion’s share of all the new orders coming out in the past few years, topping their global leadership of the last decade and with an ever swelling orderbook that should see them maintain their leadership, well into the next decade.

?So what ails Boeing and what can it do to course correct ?

?One Word – TRUST !

?The Airplane maker that had the trust of every world traveller, has lost it over the last five years. There have been some patchwork attempts by the Boeing board, to rectify the situation, but nowhere near complete restoration.

The company has undertaken efforts to address the issues, including implementing software updates for the 737 MAX, conducting inspections and repairs for production quality issues, and improving safety protocols across its operations. However, Boeing continues to face ongoing challenges as it works to regain trust and confidence in its products and processes.

The latest boardroom shuffle and the resignation of its CEO Calhoun this past week, are symptomatic of the malaise, but nowhere near the solution.

It confounds me that Calhoun, who was around on the Boeing board for every single incident since the Lion Air incident, is repentant but, If it’s a question of taking accountability, then he should have stepped down with immediate effect and not at the end of 2024 !

To the world, the Boeing board appears weak and pliable, ?and merely announcing this resignation, is akin to paying lip service to the issues, which could imply that there is no desire to course correct. If it’s to allow Dave time to groom a successor, that’s not the most ideal thing either.

What the Boeing board and corporate America must realise, that change and contrition must begin from within. If there is to be a change of mentality, and direction for the company, then it must come now, the workers of that once great organisation

Leadership is a trait that comes from within, to accept moral responsibility for an incident or a series of incidents, is the stuff that leaders do. In India, ministers like Shastri, Madhavrao Scindia and Nitish kumar have stepped down as ministers, taking moral responsibility for accidents on their watch. In England too, Ministers have done exactly that right from the days of Lord Chamberlains government to protest his weakness & wrong direction. That is courage, fortitude and true leadership, and Boeing would do well to look deep within, to find the courage.

Steps Towards Recovery

While the crisis at Boeing is complex and multifaceted, there are several key steps that the company must take to address the issues at hand and chart a path towards recovery:

?

1.???? REPLACE THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THE BOARD NOW. There can be no two thoughts on this aspect, if Boeing is to regain the trust of the Public and energise its own workers.

2.???? Prioritize Safety:- Safety must be the top priority for Boeing, above all else. This requires a fundamental shift in the company's culture, with a renewed commitment to adhering to the highest standards of safety and quality in all aspects of its operations.

3.???? Enhance Transparency and Accountability: Boeing must foster a culture of transparency and accountability, where employees feel empowered to speak up about safety concerns without fear of reprisal.

4.???? Strengthen Regulatory Oversight: Boeing should work collaboratively with regulatory agencies to strengthen oversight and ensure that all aircraft designs and modifications undergo rigorous safety assessments. This may involve revisiting the certification process for new aircraft

5.???? Invest in Training and Development: Boeing should invest in comprehensive training programs for its employees, particularly those involved in aircraft design, production, and maintenance.

6.???? Rebuild Trust - Rebuilding trust with customers, regulators, and the public will be essential for Boeing's long-term success. This will require a concerted effort to demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, as well as a willingness to learn from past mistakes and take decisive action to prevent them from recurring.

The crisis at Boeing represents a significant challenge for the company, but it also presents Boeing with the greatest opportunity for growth and transformation since the Gulf War.

By taking decisive action to address the root causes of the issues at hand and implementing meaningful reforms to prioritise safety, transparency, and accountability, Boeing can rebuild trust, restore its reputation, and once again emerge in the true leadership position it was destined to occupy in the aviation industry.

The road to recovery may be long and arduous, but with a steadfast commitment to doing what is right, Boeing can overcome this crisis and soar to new heights.