Dubai-based airline Emirates has thrown its weight behind a potential acquisition move by Boeing to take over Spirit AeroSystems, signaling a potential solution to Boeing’s ongoing industrial woes.
The move comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny following factory audits triggered by a significant incident involving a dummy door on a nearly full 737 MAX 9 airliner in January.
Emirates Airline President Tim Clark emphasized the urgency for Boeing to address its quality issues promptly, urging the full attention of its board and top management to avoid questions about its future viability.
Boeing recently confirmed discussions regarding the acquisition of its former subsidiary Spirit, with industry insiders also exploring potential scenarios involving Airbus assuming control of some Spirit operations.
Spirit AeroSystems, responsible for manufacturing a significant portion of the 737 MAX, as well as key components for the 787 and upcoming 777X, holds strategic importance for Boeing.
Clark expressed reservations about Boeing’s decision to divest Spirit in the past, highlighting the potential operational challenges stemming from such a move.
Clark underscored the critical need for Boeing to prioritize resolving its quality issues, stressing that the company’s survival hinges on addressing these concerns swiftly and comprehensively. He warned that failure to do so could jeopardize Boeing’s existence, given the repercussions for public trust and governmental expectations in the aerospace sector.