What is the Future of Boeing?
Madison, WI — Boeing, an American-based global aerospace company, has been a staple of American history. Known for manufacturing military and passenger planes, Boeing curated a reputation as one of the most reliable firms in the world. One common saying among pilots is “If it’s not Boeing, I’m not going.” However, recent events have changed the perception around Boeing.
Recent Boeing Controversies
Boeing’s most popular passenger plane has been the 737 model. They have been trying to recreate that success with the 737 Max.
However, due to overlooking some major safety issues, the 737 Max has had numerous problems. One problem was the automated flight-control system. This system led to two 737 Max crashes, with 346 people dying as a result. Additionally, in June of last year, a Boeing plane had to be grounded due to an engine catching fire. Most recently, on a flight in January on Alaska Airlines a door plug came off mid-flight. On top of that, Boeing has had to tell airlines to check the planes for loose bolts and numerous other issues. These problems have tarnished the reputation of Boeing, which was once its most valuable asset. Its value has almost halved over the past five years, while its major rival Airbus’s value has increased by ⅓.
What will be the Future of Boeing?
New Planes
Boeing has to increase the quality and appeal of its products in the future to combat Airbus’s growth. Boeing does have two different planes coming out in the future, the 777x and the 787. The big advantage of these planes is their fuel efficiency. The 777x is around 30% composites (plastic) and the 787 is around 80% composites. Composites are far lighter than the typically used aluminum. This leads to a far more fuel-efficient plane. The Global Spec website states, “777X should have 12 percent lower fuel consumption and 10 percent lower operating costs than the competition”. These reduced costs make these new planes very appealing, but the question is, can airlines still trust Boeing to make these planes safe?
Fixing Quality
The FAA recently demanded that Boeing create a plan to address its quality issues within the next 90 days. This comes after years of relaxed scrutiny from the FAA as they left Boeing relatively alone, as they were known for their quality. The FAA has demanded a shake-up of management and has put a cap on the production rate to help Boeing determine the items affecting these quality issues.
Next Steps
Boeing is one of the most successful companies in American history. It has helped fund the American economy, as it employs thousands of Americans and is one of the biggest exporters in the US. Additionally, Boeing was critical in the Allies’ success in World War 2, and it would be a shame to see such a historical company disappear.
Boeing has to fix these quality issues to bring back its credibility in the market. On top of that, these new plane models must succeed, as Airbus continues to develop technologically advanced planes that continue to exceed their predecessors. Boeing is in an interesting position, and it will be fun for onlookers to look at how the future goes for them.
