Boeing CEO Admits Company Made 'Serious Missteps In Recent Years'

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is set to testify to Congress that the plane manufacturer has "made serious missteps in recent years."

Ortberg will tell the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday that Boeing has made "sweeping changes" since the January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new 737 MAX, according to testimony first obtained by Reuters.

"Boeing has made serious missteps in recent years—and it is unacceptable," Ortberg will testify. "No one is more committed to turning our company around than our team."

Newsweek reached out to Boeing for comment via email Tuesday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Ortberg took over at Boeing last year after former CEO Dave Calhoun stepped down after the mid-air panel blowout on a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 airplane. It was later found that the panel was missing four key bolts.

What To Know

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing Wednesday on restoring Boeing's status "as a great American manufacturer" and examine the steps taken by the aviation giant to address the issues seen in recent years.

The January 2024 Alaska Airlines incident led to increased scrutiny for Boeing from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Current Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy toured the company's Washington state plant last month, noting progress made on safety. He emphasized that scrutiny and oversight must continue.

According to Reuters, Ortberg will tell Congress that a big culture shift is underway at Boeing, with leaders spending more time "listening and learning from" employees. The messaging appears similar to the words the CEO used in his opening letter for Boeing's 2024 annual report.

Over the past 14 months, Boeing has lost over $23 billion and laid off thousands of workers as contracts were pulled and the FAA placed caps on manufacturing.

What People Are Saying

Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, in a February press release: "I appreciate that Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has agreed to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee to detail what steps the company has taken to strengthen its commitment to a safety-focused, quality-driven culture.

"Boeing has been a great American manufacturer and all of us should want to see it thrive. Given Boeing's past missteps and problems, the flying public deserves to hear what changes are being made to rehabilitate the company's tarnished reputation."

What Happens Next

The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. ET Wednesday, April 2.

Update 4/1/25, 1:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.