Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is set to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET, addressing lawmakers on the aerospace giant’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and manufacturing standards following a series of high-profile incidents.
The hearing comes amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing, which has faced challenges in both its commercial and defense divisions. A major turning point was the January 2024 midair door plug failure on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, an incident that raised serious concerns about production oversight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later capped Boeing’s monthly production of the 737 MAX at 38 planes, though the company has been producing below that level.
In written testimony obtained by multiple outlets ahead of the hearing, Ortberg acknowledged Boeing’s past failures and emphasized the company’s commitment to significant reforms.
“Boeing has made serious missteps in recent years — and it is unacceptable,” Ortberg wrote. “In response, we have made sweeping changes to the people, processes, and overall structure of our company.”
Ortberg, who took over as CEO in August 2024 after former chief executive Dave Calhoun stepped down, has positioned himself as a leader committed to regaining trust. The company has implemented structural reforms and reinforced its quality control measures, though regulators and lawmakers remain cautious about Boeing’s progress.
Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Commerce Committee, stressed the importance of the hearing, stating that the public deserves transparency regarding Boeing’s turnaround strategy.
“Boeing has been a great American manufacturer, and all of us should want to see it thrive,” Cruz said. “Given Boeing’s past missteps and problems, the flying public deserves to hear what changes are being made to rehabilitate the company’s tarnished reputation.”
Beyond its commercial aviation challenges, Boeing remains a key player in the defense sector. Earlier this month, the company secured a major victory when the US Air Force awarded it a multi-billion-dollar contract to develop the next generation of fighter jets. The deal provides some stability for Boeing’s defense business amid lingering concerns over its commercial aircraft safety record.
Meanwhile, Boeing continues to face legal repercussions related to past incidents. In July, the company agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge in connection with the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people. A federal judge has set a June 23 trial date in the Justice Department’s case against the company.
With input from CNBC and FOX Business.
