Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business, expressed concerns in a recent interview with German weekly magazine WirtschaftsWoche regarding the impact of Boeing’s ongoing safety and quality problems on the aviation industry. Following a door plug blowout on a Boeing 737 MAX earlier this year, Scherer emphasized that these issues “could cause more people to question how safe flying actually is.”
Boeing has faced increased scrutiny over its factory controls since January 5, when a door plug detached mid-flight from a 737 MAX jet due to missing bolts. This incident has added to the mounting pressure on Boeing to address quality control issues.
Scherer noted, “Boeing’s problems could cause more people to question how safe flying actually is,” highlighting the broader implications for the aviation sector. He characterized Boeing’s challenges as “a burden for the entire industry.
Amid speculation about potential price hikes for Airbus jets in light of Boeing’s difficulties, Scherer clarified that any pricing decisions would be driven by market dynamics rather than competitor woes. He stated, “Pricing is guided purely by demand outstripping supply and that it is difficult to predict how things would pan out in the future.”
Scherer also touched on the potential for unpredictable market behavior from Boeing, noting, “I dare say that an ailing competitor can behave in a relatively unpredictable manner. If a company has dozens of planes in stock involuntarily, it could start a major sell-off.”
The situation underscores the interconnectedness of the aviation industry, where the challenges faced by one major player can reverberate across the entire sector, potentially affecting public perception and market stability.