United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, expressed his optimism about Boeing’s recovery after meeting with the new CEO of the aircraft manufacturer. This positive change of tune marks a shift in attitude from United, a significant Boeing customer that has been vocal about their frustrations regarding delayed deliveries of aircraft due to Boeing’s ongoing problems.
Kirby and Boeing’s new CEO, Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, had a lunch meeting in the Dallas area, where Kirby shared his confidence in Boeing’s recovery process. He mentioned in a recent LinkedIn post that he was not only encouraged by what he heard from Ortberg but also left the meeting with a renewed faith in Boeing’s ability to bounce back quicker than anticipated.
Ortberg, who previously led Rockwell Collins, a commercial and defense supplier, has over three decades of experience in the aerospace industry. He recently took on the role of CEO at Boeing and has already shown his commitment to the company by spending his first day at Boeing’s 737 factory floor in Renton, Washington. Ortberg’s background in engineering and his focus on being close to frontline teams in Seattle has garnered praise from Kirby.
United and other major airlines like Southwest Airlines have faced challenges due to delayed deliveries of jetliners as Boeing works on recovering from recent safety crises. One such incident was a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 earlier this year, following a series of other manufacturing defects on Boeing planes. Despite these hurdles, Ortberg remains optimistic about Boeing’s success and has expressed a desire to listen to employees and customers for input on overcoming these issues.
Ortberg mentioned in a note to staff on his first day at Boeing that the support from customers and industry partners has been unwavering, with everyone rooting for Boeing’s success. This positive outlook from stakeholders within the industry signifies a shared belief in Boeing’s ability to recover and thrive under new leadership.
The meeting between United Airlines’ CEO Scott Kirby and Boeing’s new CEO Robert “Kelly” Ortberg has sparked optimism about Boeing’s recovery within the aerospace industry. Ortberg’s engineering background, combined with his hands-on approach and commitment to listening to employees and customers, has instilled confidence in stakeholders. Despite the challenges faced by Boeing, the future looks promising under Ortberg’s leadership.