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Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is slated to testify before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in April, in a moment that could mark a turning point for the aerospace manufacturer.
The stakes are high, no doubt, but there’s room for cautious optimism as Boeing works to address its challenges. For those of us who follow aviation closely, this isn’t just a grilling–it’s an opportunity for Boeing to show it’s on the mend.
Washington Opens the Door for Progress
With the new administration has come a renewed sense of urgency to get Boeing back on its feet again. The April hearing was set in motion earlier this month when U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called Ortberg to Washington, seeking a detailed update on Boeing’s efforts to bolster safety and quality.
“I’ve requested that the Boeing CEO come to D.C. as soon as possible to provide a full accounting of the steps the company is taking to address its quality and safety issues,” Duffy announced on X on 13 February. “Following that, I will visit Boeing myself to evaluate firsthand the measures being implemented to ensure its planes meet the highest safety standards.”
The push follows the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident on 5 January 2024, when a 737 MAX 9’s door plug blew out mid-flight–a stark reminder of Boeing’s vulnerabilities. Paired with an FAA safety review, it’s clear why Duffy wants answers.
But there’s more to this than just oversight. Duffy will visit Boeing’s Seattle facilities in mid-March to see the company’s safety measures in action. Accompanying him on the visit will be acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. The FAA’s cap of 38 737 MAX jets per month, imposed after Flight 1282, remains in place. However, these engagements signal a willingness to work with Boeing toward solutions. If the company can demonstrate real progress, this could be the start of a thaw in regulatory tensions.
Showing Boeing Some ‘Tough Love’
Since taking office, Duffy has made his stance on Boeing crystal clear. During his confirmation hearing, he emphasized that safety isn’t negotiable, stating, “I’ll work with Congress and the FAA to restore global confidence in Boeing and to ensure that our skies are safe.”
“I’ll work with Congress and the FAA to restore global confidence in Boeing and to ensure that our skies are safe.”
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
That perspective shapes his upcoming Seattle visit and the Senate hearing. Duffy has said, “There’s a lot more work to do” when it comes to Boeing. This suggests he believes the company has the potential to turn things around if it prioritizes accountability over excuses. His hands-on involvement–coupled with a readiness to lift restrictions when warranted–offers Boeing a pragmatic partner in Washington, not just a critic. This “tough love” approach, as Duffy described it, could pave the way for progress if Boeing delivers.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, framed it with a balanced tone.
“Boeing has been a great American manufacturer, and all of us should want to see it thrive,” Sen. Cruz said in a press release. “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.”
Boeing’s got a shot here to prove it’s listening–and acting.
The 737 MAX: Signs of Resilience
It’s no secret that the 737 MAX program has taken a beating. From the 2018 and 2019 crashes that grounded the type globally to the Flight 1282 wake-up call, the MAX continues to battle a negative image.
Duffy, during his confirmation hearing, stood firm: the production cap stays until Boeing proves it’s safe to lift. Fair enough–it’s a high bar, but not an impossible one. Boeing’s January 2025 delivery of 45 aircraft–the most in a month since 2023 and up from December’s 30–hints at momentum. It’s not a full rebound, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Against Airbus, Boeing’s still playing catch-up, though supply chain woes have kept the gap from getting too out of control. The MAX’s gradual return to form could steady Boeing’s footing, especially if the company leverages the scrutiny to refine its processes. There’s cautious hope here: Boeing knows the playbook. It just needs to execute.
Leadership Adjustments and Financial Flickers
Leadership shifts offer a mixed but promising signal. Stephanie Pope stepped down as Chief Operating Officer on 19 February, per a 25 February regulatory filing. However, she will remain executive vice president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA).
Once a contender for Ortberg’s job, Pope’s streamlined role–and Boeing’s decision not to replace the COO–suggests a tighter focus on core priorities. It’s a leaner setup that could sharpen BCA’s edge.
Financially, BCA has been battered. The division posted $36 billion in losses since 2019 across six tough years, thanks to the MAX grounding, the pandemic, and the Flight 1282 incident. In 2024 alone, the financial hit was $11.8 billion.
This period saw just over 2,200 planes delivered. Contrast that to 2013-2019, when BCA raked in $50 billion in profit from nearly 4,500 deliveries. Yet 2025 offers a glimmer: 550 projected deliveries and a $100 million operating profit. It’s modest, but it’s a pivot toward black ink–a sign Boeing’s digging out of the hole.
Certification as a Catalyst
Boeing’s certification efforts could be what finally lifts the aerospace titan out of this tough stretch. Issues with the stall-management yaw damper (SMYD) delay the 737-7 and 737-10. Meanwhile, the 777X still awaits approval (although it has finally resumed test flights after a five-month grounding). These three aircraft anchor Boeing’s 2025 strategy.
Clearing these hurdles would expand the fleet and ease pressure, showcasing technical prowess at a critical time. Delays would sting, no question, but Boeing’s track record suggests it can pull this off with the right focus.
Ortberg’s upcoming testimony is Boeing’s platform to outline a credible recovery plan, backed by Secretary Duffy’s Seattle visit as a real-work checkpoint. Washington’s tone isn’t just punitive–it’s pragmatic, offering Boeing a chance to prove itself.
In an industry defined by precision and trust, Boeing is doubling down on its strengths–engineering excellence, operational rigor, and a legacy worth fighting for.
The aviation world isn’t just watching; it’s rooting for Boeing to soar again.
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