Emirates boss says Boeing must recognize top-down role in MAX flaws

The head of one of Boeing’s biggest customers, Dubai’s Emirates, wants the planemaker to demonstrate fundamental changes after producing a flawed 737 MAX jet and has urged it to recognize “culpability and accountability” from the very top. Influential Emirates President Tim Clark said a crisis over crashes of its 737 MAX had damaged the air travel industry as a whole, but he was confident the redesigned jet was safe. “Boeing need to take a good hard look at themselves; I’m sure they have,” Clark said. “But they have to (show) evidence to people like the airline community, the traveling public, that they have made the changes that are required of them in a transparent manner,” he said, while also suggesting a shift of emphasis on financial matters. That (can) only be done at board level and executed ... at senior level,” Clark said. “I believe they still have work to do in Boeing to get themselves sorted out ... There is a top-down culpability and accountability and they need to recognize that.” Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The comments from the head of one of the world’s biggest carriers, with Boeing jets worth over $50b at list prices on order, are among the most direct airline criticisms since a 20-month ban on MAX flights was lifted in December.<br/>