Earnings statements are about money, but on Wednesday Boeing also shed light on the strategy to maintain its brand and restore its reputation.
The company hired outside experts, and is working with airlines, and especially pilot’s, in building trust back into the 737 MAX whenever it’s ready to fly again.
“We know it will take time,” said Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg on an earnings call with stock analysts and reporters this morning. “The respect of the flying public, the confidence of the flying public is very important to us.”
Nearly 50 airlines own the 737 MAX now, and the fleet is grounded on different continents and in different countries. Muilenburg said each airline is receiving tailored help to assist with training, getting the 737 MAX fleet back in the air once permission to fly is restored.
However, it’s not clear when the MAX will take to the air again, as regulators still need to sign off on the fix to the plane’s MCAS flight control feature. A sensor input error in MCAS is tied to both crashes involving the MAX last October and again in March.