Alaska Air Group is not concerned about the production rate of Boeing’s 737 MAX planes as it is more focused on the quality and safety of the planemaker’s jets, a top company executive said on Thursday.
The Seattle-based carrier had to ground its MAX 9 fleet for weeks following a mid-air cabin panel blowout on one of its flights in January. The grounding cost the company $162 million in the first quarter, resulting in a quarterly loss.
In an interview, Chief Financial Officer Shane Tackett said Alaska has deployed more of its inspectors at Boeing’s factories since the incident to ensure the jetmaker produces the highest quality aircraft that it can confidently fly safely.
