By David Shepardson
ARLINGTON, Virginia (Reuters) – FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker stated on Thursday he intends to quickly see Boeing’s Seattle workplaces to meet chief executive officer Kelly Ortberg as the planemaker returns to 737 MAX manufacturing.
Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration stated it would certainly improve its oversight of Boeing as the planemaker prepares to return to manufacturing of its 737 MAX jets complying with a 53-day strike that finished 2 weeks earlier.
“We are working closely with Boeing to make sure the safety management system is driving their actions during” the reactivate of manufacturing, Whitaker stated, that talked to Ortberg previously this month on the manufacturing strategy.
Boeing did not promptly comment.
The FAA kept in mind that it preserved its improved on-site visibility at Boeing manufacturing facilities throughout the strike “and will further strengthen and target our oversight as the company begins its return-to-work plan.”
Whitaker topped manufacturing at 38 737 MAX aircrafts each month in January after a door panel missing out on 4 crucial screws flew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in trip that month, revealing major safety and security problems at Boeing.
The FAA stated in October it was opening up a brand-new safety and security evaluation right intoBoeing That month, the Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General slammed the FAA’s oversight of Boeing.
At a vacation traveling interview at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington on Thursday, Whitaker did not straight respond to whether he intends to stay as FAA manager when President- choose Donald Trump takes workplace onJan 20. But he stated he intends to involve with the change group. Whitaker has a five-year term that does not end up until 2028.
“I’m looking forward to working with the incoming (transportation) secretary,” Whitaker stated. “Right now, we’re focused on safety and trying to make this transition as smooth as smooth as possible.”
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Jonathan Oatis)
