Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci is pushing Boeing to improve quality control after the airline’s inspectors found loose bolts on “many” Max 9 jets. Similar issues have been uncovered during United Airlines inspections.
The company must make enhancements to its quality program “to make sure that when we get an airplane, it’s at the highest degree of excellence,” he said. Boeing has tapped an adviser to conduct an internal review, while Alaska Airlines is increasing oversight of Boeing’s production line and the FAA has begun a review of the company’s manufacturing process.
Following an incident where part of a Max 9 jet operated by Alaska Airlines came loose during flight earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded more than 100 Max 9s, and some fear the accident could delay certification of the larger Max 10. As a result, United executives are considering alternative planes.
“The reality is that with the Max grounding, this is the straw that broke the camel’s back with believing that the Max 10 will deliver on the schedule we had hoped for,” said United CFO Michael Leskinen.
