The head of the Boeing 737 Max programme was replaced yesterday.
Kevin McAllister, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is the highest profile departure from the US manufacturer since two 737 Max crashes killed a total of 346 people.
The new generation aircraft as been grounded since March at a cost to the company of an estimated $8 billion.
More: Boeing ‘regrets’ concerns raised by 737 Max safety texts
Airlines ‘scheduling Boeing 737 Max flights despite aircraft still grounded’
Comment: No take-off in sight for Boeing 737 Max
An investigation into the causes of Lion Air 737 Max crash in Indonesia last October and an Ethiopian Airlines crash in March is focused on a fault in an automated flight control system which Boeing has been working to fix since to allow the aircraft to resume service.
The departure of McAllister follows the disclosure of messages from a former employee raising concerns over unexpected troubles with the system as it was being certified in 2016.
McAllister has been replaced by Stan Deal, president and chief executive of Boeing Global Services, the company’s consulting division.
Boeing president and chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said: “Our entire Boeing team is focused on operational excellence, aligned with our values of safety, quality and integrity, and we’re committed to delivering on our commitments and regaining trust with our regulators, customers and other stakeholders.
“We’re grateful to Kevin for his dedicated and tireless service to Boeing, its customers and its communities during a challenging time, and for his commitment to support this transition.”
Ted Colbert succeeds Deal at Boeing Global Services, while Vishwa Uddanwadiker is appointed to Colbert’s former role as interim chief information officer and senior vice president of information technology and data analytics.
“Stan brings extensive operational experience at Commercial Airplanes and trusted relationships with our airline customers and industry partners; and Ted brings to our Global Services business an enterprise approach to customers and strong digital business
Boeing chairman David Calhoun said: “The Boeing board fully supports these leadership moves.
“Boeing will emerge stronger than ever from its current challenges and the changes we’re making throughout Boeing will benefit the flying public well into the future.”
McAllister said: “Boeing is a great company with a commitment to safety I have seen first-hand working side-by-side with many thousands of tremendously talented and dedicated employees.
“It has been an honour to serve with such a professional team for the past three years.”
More: Boeing ‘regrets’ concerns raised by 737 Max safety texts
Airlines ‘scheduling Boeing 737 Max flights despite aircraft still grounded’
Comment: No take-off in sight for Boeing 737 Max
