During a Quality Stand Down, Boeing on Jan. 25 paused 737 production and delivery activities for the day. More than 10,000 employees in Washington, specifically Renton, Seattle and Moses Lake, stopped to refocus on safety and discuss how Boeing can improve its practices.
“This is a quality stand down at a scale we have not done before and I greatly appreciate our people for being open and honest,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal.
As he joined discussions in the 737 factory, Deal said he heard frank feedback from teammates who brought forward ideas to clarify work instructions, strengthen training programs and improve other practices.
“Elizabeth Lund and the Airplane Programs team are reviewing the hundreds of opportunities and prioritizing improvements that should be implemented first. We will hold these quality stand downs at all Commercial Airplanes programs and sites over the next few weeks,” Deal said.
In a message to employees Friday, Deal addressed the 737-9's return to service and provided an update on the company's quality actions:
"This afternoon, Alaska Airlines began safely returning its 737-9s to service after a three-week grounding, joining Copa Airlines which conducted its first flights yesterday. In the coming days, United Airlines, Aeromexico and Turkish Airlines will also bring their 737-9s back online.
“Our near-term task has been helping these customers restore their operations. Our team worked diligently to finalize the detailed inspection protocol for the mid-exit door plug, which the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approved on Wednesday.
“Our long-term focus is on improving our quality so that we can regain the confidence of our customers, our regulator and the flying public. Frankly, we have disappointed and let them down. We are deeply sorry for the significant disruption and frustration for our customers, some of whom have been publicly and unfairly criticized. We have heard from our regulator, which has announced it won’t allow 737 MAX production increases until they are satisfied, we have improved our quality control. We own these issues and will make them right.
“Over the last century, the people of Boeing have faced and overcome significant challenges. This is one of those times. We have to be better. We have to deliver perfect airplanes each and every time.”
Read more:
