After a series of safety incidents involving United Airlines aircraft, CEO Scott Kirby has pledged to review protocols and enhance training. Incidents include a missing panel, a plane veering off the runway, and a tire blowout. Kirby plans additional pilot training, centralized maintenance training, improved supplier oversight, and encouragement for employees to report safety issues. The CEO reassured customers that safety remains the airline’s top priority as it learns from these events.
United Airlines CEO vows review of recent safety incidents
United Airlines CEO vows review of recent safety incidents after multiple aircraft incidents raise concerns, plans additional training and safety measures.
CHICAGO (Reuters) -United Airlines is reviewing recent safety incidents involving its planes and using the insights to update safety training and procedures for employees, CEO Scott Kirby said on Monday.
The Chicago-based airline has experienced several safety emergencies in the past two weeks. Last Friday, an external panel was found to be missing from a United aircraft when it landed in Oregon, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Before that incident, a United Airlines-operated Boeing 737 MAX rolled onto the grass in Houston. A United-operated Boeing 777-200 bound for Japan also lost a tire after takeoff from San Francisco and was diverted to Los Angeles, where it landed safely.
In a message to United’s customers, Kirby expressed confidence that the airline would learn the “right lessons” and “continue to run an operation that puts safety first.”
“While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,” he said.
Kirby said United plans to have an extra day of in-person training for all pilots starting in May, and a centralized training curriculum for new-hire maintenance technicians.
The airline is dedicating more resources to supplier network management and encouraging employees to flag safety-related issues, he said.
“Safety is our highest priority and is at the center of everything we do,” Kirby said.
The FAA declined to comment and referred questions on Kirby’s letter to United.
In the aftermath of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 mid-air emergency prompted by a door plug blowout, U.S. aviation incidents are getting more attention.
Boeing has been under heavy regulatory scrutiny after the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines incident, with inquiries into the company’s safety and quality standards in its production process.
United’s shares were down about 0.3% in afternoon trade. Its stock has gained 5.4% this year compared with about a 7% decline in the NYSE Arca Airline index.
In the wake of several safety occurrences involving its aircraft over the past two weeks, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has vowed to conduct a thorough review and implement measures to bolster safety protocols and training procedures for employees.
The recent incidents that have garnered attention include the discovery of a missing external panel on a United aircraft upon landing in Oregon, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Prior to this, a United Airlines-operated Boeing 737 MAX veered onto the grass in Houston, and a United-operated Boeing 777-200 bound for Japan suffered a tire blowout after takeoff from San Francisco, necessitating a diversion to Los Angeles.
In a message to United’s customers, Kirby expressed confidence in the airline’s ability to learn from these occurrences and continue prioritizing safety in its operations. “While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,” he stated.
Kirby outlined several measures United plans to implement, including an additional day of in-person training for all pilots starting in May, a centralized training curriculum for newly hired maintenance technicians, dedicating more resources to supplier network management, and encouraging employees to report safety-related issues.
“Safety is our highest priority and is at the center of everything we do,” Kirby emphasized.
The FAA declined to comment on Kirby’s letter, referring questions to United Airlines.
These incidents have garnered increased scrutiny on aviation safety in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the mid-air emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 caused by a door plug blowout. Boeing has been under regulatory scrutiny since the January 5 Alaska Airlines incident, with inquiries into the company’s safety and quality standards in its production process.
Despite the recent incidents, United Airlines’ shares experienced only a minor dip in afternoon trade, reflecting the market’s confidence in the airline’s ability to address the issues effectively.
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