Boeing, the beleaguered US aircraft manufacturer, may encounter further setbacks in delivering its popular 737 MAX planes as a supplier identified incorrectly drilled holes, prompting additional work on approximately 50 undelivered aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems, the supplier, uncovered two holes drilled inaccurately, causing Boeing’s stock to drop by 2.2%, with Spirit experiencing a 3.9% decline.
This latest issue compounds the scrutiny Boeing faces regarding its manufacturing processes, heightened by a recent incident where part of a plane’s fuselage detached. Following the Alaska Airlines incident, where a panel fell from an unused door hole, Boeing is already under pressure from airline customers demanding improvements in safety protocols.
Emirates Airlines‘ CEO, Tim Clark, joined the chorus of airline leaders calling for substantial changes at Boeing. In an interview with the Financial Times, Clark emphasised the need for Boeing to establish an unparalleled safety culture and thoroughly review manufacturing processes, urging the company to prioritise safety over financial considerations.
As of the latest reports, incorrectly drilled holes have been discovered in 22 fuselages out of 47 inspected, with potential implications for some 737s already in service. This development follows Boeing’s efforts to recover from a period of crisis when design flaws led to two crashes, resulting in a nearly two-year grounding of the 737 MAX model.
