DALLAS — Headlines about the recent string of scary incidents on Boeing jets, starting with a panel blowing out of an Alaska Airlines jetliner in January are adding even more anxiety to flying for travelers like Denise Williams.
“The things that are happening, doors opening, falling off, wheels falling off mid air, something's not right and they need to get to the problem and fix it,” Williams said.
Now, top US airline execs are demanding a meeting with Boeing’s leaders.
“There have been some problems down at Boeing with its manufacturing process. It's not accounting for things as closely as it should be,” said The Points Guy Senior Aviation Business Reporter David Slotnick. “The airlines are actually going over the CEO's head. And that suggests that they want to talk about the strategy of the company, the long term direction of it.”
The proposed meeting is twofold: Airlines want to hear the jet-maker's strategy for fixing the quality control problems that have come to light, but they also want to talk about manufacturing issues now slowing deliveries carriers were counting on.
“Boeing is distracted, obviously by trying to fix these problems, so they're putting less effort, less resources to increasing their production rate,” Slotnick said.
While some airlines like Fort Worth-based American Airlines also fly Airbus planes, Dallas-based Southwest’s fleet is entirely made up of Boeing jets. Southwest has had to both reduce its planned schedule and scale back hiring after Boeing said it would only be able to deliver 46 of the 79 new planes due this year. United Airlines is facing similar issues.
We reached out to Southwest, the airline declined to comment on the specific meetings, but told us they “have ongoing, frequent communication with Boeing, which is not new and will continue.”
On an earnings call with investors – Boeing CEO David Calhoun addressed the backlash.
“We simply must be better. Our customers deserve better,” Calhoun said. “We understand why they are angry and we will work to earn their confidence. There's no message, no slogan that will accomplish that. It's all about real, demonstrated action and absolute transparency”
Travelers like Bob Roesler want to know how this will impact them.
“If it's going to hinder the ability to fly later and then cause cancellations or delays, or whatever, it it's going to be a little alarming,” he said. “And then if that is going to cause prices to go up.”
Slotnick says it all depends, but the bottom line is – despite all of this – it is still extremely safe to fly.
“With aviation, there is no risk allowed. And if anything at all happens, then it's thoroughly investigated and addressed to make sure that it doesn't happen,” Slotnick said.
Sources told the Associated Press those meetings will likely take place sometime next week.