Some of the grounded 737 MAX 9 planes are about to resume flying as a top Boeing executive apologised for the aircraft’s problems.
Alaska Airlines are resuming services with the plane just weeks after the mid-air emergency that saw a door plug fail and a piece of fuselage blow off.
Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing’s commercial plane unit, says the company will do everything it can to win back the trust of customers and its business partners.
“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,” Deal wrote in a note to staff and reported on ndtv.com.
“Frankly, we have disappointed and let them down. We are deeply sorry for the significant disruption and frustration for our customers.
“We have to deliver perfect airplanes each and every time.”
Deal added that quality assurance and controls had been improved in the aftermath of the incident. Staff have also been discussing improving safety practices with some 10,000 Boeing employees working on 737 MAX production halting work for a day to hold talks.
Deal added that following Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Aeromexico and Turkish Airlines are also set to return their 737 MAX9s to service “in the coming days.”
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration grounded 171 MAX 9 planes after the incident on January 5. The US Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to deliver its report into the incident this week.
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