Head of Boeing’s 737 MAX program to retire: Company

TIL Desk/Business/New York/ The head of Boeing’s embattled 737 MAX program plans to retire, the company said, just as it gears up to persuade regulators to return the plane to the skies after two deadly crashes.

It was the most high profile departure of a senior executive since the aircraft was grounded in mid-March following two crashes that claimed 346 lives.

Eric Lindblad, who has led the MAX program since August 2018, will step down and work with his successors on a transition, Commercial Airplanes President Kevin McAllister said in a staff memo on Thursday.

Boeing apologised following the two crashes and acknowledged falling short in communications with regulators.  But top officials, including chief executive Dennis Muilenburg, have kept their jobs amid the crisis.

“These are unprecedented times for us, as our primary focus remains the safe return of service for the 737 MAX and driving quality and safety in all that we do,” McAllister said.