Mar 13, 2019

Boeing CEO personally appealed to Trump on 737 MAX 8

Axios

Forensics investigators and recovery teams collect personal effects and other material from the crash site in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

With the U.S. nearly alone among major countries in allowing 737 Max 8 jets to keep flying, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, made a personal appeal to President Trump, the New York Times reports in its lead story.

Calling from Boeing HQ in Chicago, Muilenburg expressed his confidence in the safety of the planes.

  • "Boeing reiterated ... that it had 'full confidence' in the 737 Max 8. It noted that the F.A.A. had taken no action and 'based on the information currently available, we do not have any basis to issue new guidance to operators.'"
  • Two U.S. airlines — Southwest and American — fly the 737 Max 8 aircraft and both said they planned to keep flying, per the Times.
  • "The airlines ... said they have analyzed data from their thousands of flights with the jets and found no reason to ground them."

Go deeper: U.S., Canada remain key holdouts in suspending Boeing 737 MAX jet

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  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2:30 p.m. ET: 1,506,936 — Total deaths: 90,057 — Total recoveries: 340,112 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2:30 p.m. ET: 432,596 — Total deaths: 14,831 — Total recoveries: 24,235 — Map.
  3. Federal government latest: President Trump is preparing to launch a second coronavirus task force focused on reviving the U.S. economy.
  4. Public health latest: U.S. has expelled thousands of migrants under coronavirus public health order — Dr. Anthony Fauci said social distancing could reduce the U.S. death toll to 60,000.
  5. Business latest: The Fed will lend up to $2.3 trillion for businesses, state and city governments — Another 6.6 million jobless claims were filed last week.
  6. World update: Boris Johnson is moved out of ICU but remains in hospital with coronavirus
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