Boeing’s new chairman is reaching out directly to US airline CEOs to rebuild trust

Boeing’s new chairman has scrapped formal meetings planned with leaders of the planemaker’s largest US airline customers as he begins to address a crisis of confidence that culminated in a sweeping management shakeup, according to people familiar with the matter. Chairman Steve Mollenkopf instead is reaching out directly to the CEOs of American Airlines, Southwest, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, one of the people said. The effort shows how Mollenkopf, a former Qualcomm Inc. CEO and Boeing director since 2020, is attempting to smooth over strained relations with the customers who set in motion one of the biggest executive overhauls in Boeing’s century-long history. The departures of the planemaker’s CEO, chairman and commercial chief announced last week have left the beleaguered manufacturer’s leadership in flux as it faces another crisis centered on its cash-cow 737 Max jetliner. Boeing, American and United declined to comment. Representatives for Southwest and Alaska did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has slowed aircraft deliveries to a crawl amid scrutiny from regulators and a criminal investigation after a manufacturing lapse led to a near-catastrophic accident in January. Leaders of the four carriers sought to air their rising frustrations with the handling of the crisis directly with Boeing directors — without now-departing CEO Dave Calhoun or other senior executives present, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters. That seeming loss of confidence in Calhoun, who has been closely aligned with departing Chairman Larry Kellner, along with public pressure from the heads of the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board contributed to the executive shakeup. Calhoun plans to leave the planemaker by the end of the year. He is also stepping off the board of Caterpillar Inc.<br/>