Boeing C.E.O. to Step Down in Major Reshuffle at Embattled Plane Maker

You can expect to pay more for plane tickets this summer, as airline capacity struggles to keep up with demand.

A Southwest Airlines flight safely returned to Denver International Airport on Sunday after the engine cover of a Boeing 737-800 fell off during takeoff and struck the wing flap, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Departing Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun received around $32.7 million in compensation for 2023, according to an annual proxy statement filed Friday. 

In February last year, a new Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max plane was on one of its first flights when an automated stabilizing system appeared to malfunction, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing soon after they took off.

Boeing has long been considered one of America’s greatest companies. Today the aerospace giant is one of its most troubled.

On this episode about Boeing's woes and air safety, clockwise from top left: Aviation reporters Robert Silk of Travel Weekly and David Slotnick of The Points Guy, and Folo host Rebecca Tobin.

Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun revealed that he will step down from his role at the end of 2024, the aircraft manufacturer announced Monday.In addition to Calhoun's exit, Board Chair Larry Kellner said he will not stand for re-election at the upcoming annual shareholder meeting, prompting the board to elect Steve Mollenkopf to succeed Kellner as independent board chair.Mollenkopf will lead the board's process of selecting Boeing's next CEO.Meanwhile, Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) President and CEO, is also out amid the massive shake-up. Deal will retire from the company and be replaced by Stephanie Pope, who will lead BCA starting Monday."It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve Boeing," Calhoun said in a letter to employees. "The eyes of the world are on us, and I know that we will come through this moment a better company. We will remain squarely focused on completing the work we have done together to return our company to stability after the extraordinary challenges of the past five years, with safety and quality at the forefront of everything that we do.""As we begin this period of transition, I want to assure you, we will remain squarely focused on completing the work we have done together to return our company to stability after the extraordinary challenges of the past five years, with safety and quality at the forefront of everything that we do," Calhoun added.The leadership changes come just one month after Boeing removed the head of its 737 Max program, Ed Clark, replacing him with former Vice President, 737 Delivery Operations, Katie Ringgold. "Our customers demand, and deserve, nothing less," Deal said at the time.It's been a tumultuous few months for Boeing in the wake of a door panel blowing out of an Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight in early January. The incident put a spotlight on the company that's revealed disturbing quality control issues that have delayed production and prompted investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies. Recently, airline executives have sought to meet with Boeing as some passengers are seeking out alternative aircraft and officials work to reassure the flying public that air travel is still safe.

Airline executives are looking to meet with Boeing management, possibly as early as this week, to discuss safety concerns and production delays.

The start of 2024 has brought a barrage of concerning headlines about commercial air travel.

Boeing announced a major shake-up of its senior leadership team.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down by the end of the year, Boeing said Monday. In addition, Stan Deal, chief of the company's commercial airplane division, will retire immediately, while board chair Larry Kellner will not run for reelection.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) will conduct a privacy review of major airlines in the United States with a focus on how popular carriers handle and store passenger’s personal information.