United CEO Scott Kirby recently expressed renewed admiration and confidence in Boeing, underlining this with intensive discussions with the airplane manufacturer’s new leader. This announcement comes amidst industry-wide skepticism fueled by multiple issues challenging the aviation giant, including the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft and the global health crisis.
On February 24, 2021, Kirby attended a meeting with Boeing’s new CEO, Dave Calhoun. It was during this interaction between two of the aviation industry’s major stakeholders that a rejuvenated sense of optimism was kindled. Kirby, deeply impressed by Calhoun’s leadership qualities and strategic focus, voiced his fresh confidence in the direction the aircraft manufacturer is taking.
In-depth discussions transpired about Boeing’s future, to which Kirby expressed great enthusiasm. The latter found Calhoun’s vision for addressing the present challenges of the aviation industry appealing, with the focus being on the manufacturer’s troubled Boeing 737 Max.
The grounded Boeing 737 Max has presented a significant challenge for Boeing and a cause for alarm in the aviation community. With the myriad mishaps in its recent history, the global health crisis only added fuel to the fire. However, a sense of optimism seems to have started to creep back in, courtesy of Calhoun and the meeting’s positive outcome.
According to Kirby, Calhoun’s plans for the troubled aircraft are far-reaching, strategic, and impressive in their coherence. Calhoun is determined to restore the credibility of Boeing’s 737 Max and regain the trust of both industry partners and the flying public.
While United Airlines doesn’t operate the 737 Max seamlessly as of now, the validation from the United CEO is significant for Boeing. With his stance that United would eventually include the aircraft as part of its fleet, Kirby’s views align with those of other United executives who had previously spoken about the potential role and place of the 737 Max in the skies once more.
Notwithstanding the current complexities, Kirby’s vote of confidence in Boeing has marked a significant turning point in the narrative surrounding the aircraft manufacturing giant. His display of faith and belief in Boeing’s new leadership under Calhoun is steadily shifting the narrative from uncertainty and skepticism towards faith and optimism in Boeing’s future.
United’s CEO going on record with his support for Boeing seems like the first step in a broader industry shift. Kirby anticipates, and others in the industry seem to agree, that the embattled manufacturer, under Calhoun’s leadership, can and will make a full recovery.
Under normal circumstances, a meeting between the new CEO of a manufacturer and the CEO of a major customer is pretty routine. It is the extraordinary crisis facing the aviation industry that makes this encounter unusually significant.
One must acknowledge the resilient spirit of Boeing under its new leadership, intimating that it is ready to navigate its way through this turbulent period and reclaim its reputation as one of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the world. The aviation industry is heeding the optimistic tone sounded by a major stakeholder. Compellingly, the shared vision and renewed faith seem to signal the beginning of a new chapter for Boeing.