Boeing CEO Touches Down in India

India Welcomes Boeing CEO 

Boeing’s new President and CEO, Kelly Ortberg, is visiting India this week for his first international trip since taking office in August. His agenda includes business meetings with Boeing’s customers in the country and discussions with key government stakeholders and employees. Although the visit has been kept low-profile, it has been reported that he will also tour some of Boeing’s facilities in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Ortberg will be in India for nearly three days.

Indian airlines are among Boeing’s top customers, especially given global delays in aircraft deliveries. Notable clients include Akasa Air, which has ordered 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and Air India, which has ordered 220 Boeing aircraft, including 190 MAXs.

On Tuesday, Mr Ortberg met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Boeing Global President Dr Brendan Nelson, and Boeing India President Salil Gupte.

“Grateful to @nsitharaman for a productive discussion with @Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg. Our partnership with India continues to grow, and Boeing is fully committed to advancing the #AatmanirbharBharat vision,” Mr Gupte posted on X.

Mr. Ortberg took charge during a challenging period for the U.S. aerospace manufacturer, which was grappling with several crises. One major issue was increased regulatory oversight triggered by concerns about quality control standards, following a door-plug blowout on an Alaskan Air flight in January 2024. As a result, aircraft production has slowed, leaving customers struggling to secure jets. Additionally, the company faced employee-related issues, including a two-month strike by Boeing’s machinists in September, job cuts, and low employee morale.

In India, the delayed delivery of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft has significantly slowed Akasa Air‘s fleet expansion. After averaging one plane per month over the past two years, the airline has only added three MAX planes in 2024, resulting in a surplus of hundreds of pilots. Similarly, Air India Express has been forced to borrow aircraft from Air India after adding planes to its fleet.