Apr 3, 2024 - World

Blinken forced to drive to Brussels after mechanical issue with Boeing jet

Jacob Knutson

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken during a press conference in Brussels on April 3. — Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a press conference in Brussels on April 3. Photo: Omar Havana/Getty Images

Secretary of State Antony Blinken's delegation drove from Paris to Brussels on Wednesday because of unspecified mechanical issues with a variant of Boeing's 737 jet assigned to him, according to the press pool traveling with him.

Why it matters: Blinken hasn't recently had great luck with aircraft, as earlier this year he also got stuck in Switzerland for a few hours because of a malfunction with a Boeing C-40 operated by the U.S. Air Force.

Blinken is in Brussels for talks between NATO foreign ministers.

Zoom in: The malfunction was unrelated to recent issues with the company's 737 Max 9 jets.

However, because of the Max issues, the company has received increased scrutiny.

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Go deeper: Missing panel discovered after United's Boeing 737-800 lands

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Blinken forced to drive to Brussels after mechanical issue with Boeing jet

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