Quantcast

Boeing faces criminal fraud trial over fatal 737 MAX crashes

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
Boeing faces criminal fraud trial over fatal 737 MAX crashes
Policy
Webp received 2350609165313960
Boeing 737 MAX | Wikipedia

A trial date has been set for Boeing's criminal fraud case related to the two fatal 737 MAX crashes. A US judge will hear the case on June 23, where further proceedings are expected to be determined. This legal action arises from Boeing's handling of a key system on the 737 MAX that led to two crashes and numerous fatalities.

On June 23, a US judge will address the criminal fraud charges against Boeing, as filed by the United States Department of Justice. According to Reuters, the judge "abruptly set a June 23 trial date" for this case, which stems from two deadly 737 MAX incidents.

Last year, Boeing and the Justice Department requested that the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas accept a plea agreement after discovering that Boeing had violated its deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). The aircraft manufacturer was on corporate probation for three years following the crashes and was accused of breaching its DPA terms. The Justice Department stated that Boeing failed to design, implement, and enforce an effective compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of US fraud laws.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Boeing chose to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the US government, specifically targeting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Evaluation Group (FAA AEG). As part of this decision, Boeing agreed to pay an additional fine of $243.6 million and invest $455 million in improving its compliance, quality, and safety programs.

However, in December, Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth rejected Boeing's plea agreement due to a diversity and inclusion provision within it. O'Connor granted Boeing and DOJ until April 11 to negotiate a new plea deal.

As reported by Reuters, Boeing indicated that it is engaged in "good faith discussions regarding an appropriate resolution" with DOJ. This follows news from The Wall Street Journal suggesting that Boeing might withdraw last year's guilty plea agreement in hopes of receiving lighter treatment under a new administration. However, sources claim that Boeing does not intend to abandon its commitment entirely.

The 737 MAX remains popular among airlines globally but has faced scrutiny due to past issues. Initially designed as a competitor to Airbus' A320neo family, it suffered from software flaws leading to crashes involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines planes. These incidents resulted in a nearly two-year global grounding.

In January 2024, another setback occurred when an Alaska Airlines midair blowout incident exposed manufacturing flaws at Boeing. Consequently, the FAA limited monthly MAX production at 38 units.

Boeing has undergone several management changes since these events, including appointing a new CEO. The outcome of this criminal fraud case after June's hearing remains uncertain.

Families affected by these tragedies seek greater accountability from Boeing. They criticized previous agreements as inadequate for holding the company responsible. Erin Applebaum—a lawyer representing families impacted by the Ethiopian Airlines crash—urged DOJ "to stand on the right side of history," rejecting further negotiations and pursuing full prosecution against Boeing.

The upcoming trial is anticipated with keen interest.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its Wings of Change Europe (WOCE) event will take place at the Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher's Hotel in Brussels.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced a new partnership with Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming platform, to bring a curated selection of anime content to its flights.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines has been recognized as one of the 2025 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women, marking its return to the list since 2019.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines marked its 100th anniversary by serving as the official airline of the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) in Boston.

Oct 23, 2025

American Airlines has announced that it will upgrade its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with new Flagship Suites, the airline's latest business-class product.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce a new in-flight dining partnership with Chef José Andrés, bringing Spanish-inspired cuisine to select cabins starting November 4.

Oct 23, 2025