The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to meet with Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, as the company gears up to restart production of its 737 MAX aircraft. This follows a recent machinist strike that halted production for 53 days. The strike concluded earlier this month after union members accepted a new pay offer.
The FAA has maintained a strong presence at Boeing's Seattle factory due to several incidents over the past year, including an emergency door plug blow-out on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight from Portland, Oregon. Michael Whitaker, the FAA Administrator, has been in discussions with Ortberg to ensure Boeing's safety management system is effective during assembly.
Whitaker has capped production at 38 aircraft per month to prioritize quality over quantity. He avoided commenting on his future as FAA Administrator after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025 but plans to work closely with the incoming transportation team.