Aviation and space

FILE - In this June 12, 2017, file photo, a Boeing 787 airplane being built for Norwegian Air Shuttle is shown at Boeing Co.'s assembly facility, in Everett, Wash. Boeing is dealing with a new production problem involving its 787 jet, in which inspections have found flaws in the way that sections of the rear of the plane were joined together. Boeing said Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, it's not an immediate safety risk but could cause the planes to age prematurely. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Boeing Dreamliner’s defects spur $7.5 billion cash drain

The company intends to repair 787 planes at its factory in Everett

FILE - In this June 12, 2017, file photo, a Boeing 787 airplane being built for Norwegian Air Shuttle is shown at Boeing Co.'s assembly facility, in Everett, Wash. Boeing is dealing with a new production problem involving its 787 jet, in which inspections have found flaws in the way that sections of the rear of the plane were joined together. Boeing said Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, it's not an immediate safety risk but could cause the planes to age prematurely. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2020 file photo, an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max jet plane is parked at a maintenance facility in Tulsa, Okla. Paying passengers were scheduled to board a Boeing 737 Max in Miami on Tuesday, Dec. 29 for the first time since safety regulators allowed the plane to fly again after two deadly crashes. The American Airlines flight is scheduled to land at New York’s LaGuardia Airport with about 100 passengers aboard, according to an airline spokeswoman. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Boeing Max returns to US skies with first passenger flight

The American Airlines flight departed from Miami on a roundtrip flight to New York and back.

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2020 file photo, an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max jet plane is parked at a maintenance facility in Tulsa, Okla. Paying passengers were scheduled to board a Boeing 737 Max in Miami on Tuesday, Dec. 29 for the first time since safety regulators allowed the plane to fly again after two deadly crashes. The American Airlines flight is scheduled to land at New York’s LaGuardia Airport with about 100 passengers aboard, according to an airline spokeswoman. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
FILE - In this March 31, 2017, file photo, Boeing employees stand near the new Boeing 787-10 at the company's facility in North Charleston, S.C. Federal officials are seeking to fine Boeing $1.25 million, saying Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, that company managers pressured employees who were designated to perform safety-related work at the plant. The Federal Aviation Administration said that for nearly two years Boeing made employees doing safety checks report to managers who weren't in position to oversee the work. (AP Photo/Mic Smith, File)

Boeing’s new timeline: Everett 787 assembly to end by March

After the company consolidates 787 work in South Carolina, Everett workers will focus on defects.

FILE - In this March 31, 2017, file photo, Boeing employees stand near the new Boeing 787-10 at the company's facility in North Charleston, S.C. Federal officials are seeking to fine Boeing $1.25 million, saying Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, that company managers pressured employees who were designated to perform safety-related work at the plant. The Federal Aviation Administration said that for nearly two years Boeing made employees doing safety checks report to managers who weren't in position to oversee the work. (AP Photo/Mic Smith, File)
FILE - In a Monday, March 23, 2020 file photo, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max lands at Paine Field near Boeing's manufacturing facility in Everett, Wash., north of Seattle. U.S. regulators are requiring inspections and possible repairs to engine coverings of all Boeing 737 Max jets. That's because of a problem that regulators say could lead to loss of engine power. The problem isn't related to a system suspected in two deadly crashes involving Max planes, but it's another blow to the company's safety reputation. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Alaska Air orders 23 more 737 Maxs to shrink Airbus fleet

Eventually, the carrier will fly only 10 Airbus A321neo planes on transcontinental routes.

FILE - In a Monday, March 23, 2020 file photo, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max lands at Paine Field near Boeing's manufacturing facility in Everett, Wash., north of Seattle. U.S. regulators are requiring inspections and possible repairs to engine coverings of all Boeing 737 Max jets. That's because of a problem that regulators say could lead to loss of engine power. The problem isn't related to a system suspected in two deadly crashes involving Max planes, but it's another blow to the company's safety reputation. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 file photo, a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max airplane takes off in the rain at Renton Municipal Airport in Renton, Wash. Boeing improperly influenced a test designed to see how quickly pilots could respond to malfunctions on the Boeing 737 Max, and Federal Aviation Administration officials may have obstructed a review of two deadly crashes involving the plane, Senate investigators say. In a report released Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 the Senate Commerce Committee also said the FAA continues to retaliate against whistleblowers.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Senate investigators fault FAA over Boeing jet, safety

In a report, the Senate Commerce Committee said the FAA continues to retaliate against whistleblowers.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 file photo, a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max airplane takes off in the rain at Renton Municipal Airport in Renton, Wash. Boeing improperly influenced a test designed to see how quickly pilots could respond to malfunctions on the Boeing 737 Max, and Federal Aviation Administration officials may have obstructed a review of two deadly crashes involving the plane, Senate investigators say. In a report released Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 the Senate Commerce Committee also said the FAA continues to retaliate against whistleblowers.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Canada takes first step in allowing Boeing 737 Max to fly again

Transport Canada said it has completed its review of design fixes mandated by the FAA.

Boeing logos are displayed at the company's booth during the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on Feb. 12, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by SeongJoon Cho.

Boeing scraps most 2021 pay raises, gives out stock instead

The restricted stock units will vest for workers who stick with the company through Dec. 14, 2023.

Boeing logos are displayed at the company's booth during the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on Feb. 12, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by SeongJoon Cho.

Boeing finds more 787 quality defects, broadens inspections

The problem appears to be with the automated robotic equipment used to fabricate the fuselage barrels.

FILE - In this Thursday, May 15, 2014, file photo, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-232 lands at the Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Fla. Delta Air Lines, Inc. reports earnings, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Boeing’s rebound ought to include a new jetliner, experts say

The lead time is great, and the company has a history of launching new programs during hard times.

FILE - In this Thursday, May 15, 2014, file photo, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-232 lands at the Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Fla. Delta Air Lines, Inc. reports earnings, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
FILE -- In this Nov. 4, 2015 file photo, a Boeing 787 airplane purchased by Qatar Airways is shown during a delivery ceremony in Everett, Wash. Qatar Airways, announced Sunday, June 11, 2017, that its net profits reached $540 million in its latest financial disclosure before the airline was blocked from flying to major Arab states. Analysts estimate that a political standoff in the Gulf between Qatar and other Arab states will cost the airline heavily after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar and blocked direct flights with the country. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Qatar Airways to launch flights between Seattle and Doha

The big Persian Gulf carrier reportedly announced a frequent flyer partnership with Alaska Airlines.

FILE -- In this Nov. 4, 2015 file photo, a Boeing 787 airplane purchased by Qatar Airways is shown during a delivery ceremony in Everett, Wash. Qatar Airways, announced Sunday, June 11, 2017, that its net profits reached $540 million in its latest financial disclosure before the airline was blocked from flying to major Arab states. Analysts estimate that a political standoff in the Gulf between Qatar and other Arab states will cost the airline heavily after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar and blocked direct flights with the country. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Workers stand near a Boeing 737 Max airplane parked at Renton Municipal Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, next to the Boeing assembly facility in Renton, Wash. where 737 Max airplanes are made. After nearly two years and a pair of deadly crashes, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that the 737 Max has been cleared for flight after regulators around the world grounded the Max in March 2019, after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Boeing suffers more canceled orders for its 737 Max plane

Brazilian airline Gol plans to operate the first Max flight with paying passengers since March 2019.

Workers stand near a Boeing 737 Max airplane parked at Renton Municipal Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, next to the Boeing assembly facility in Renton, Wash. where 737 Max airplanes are made. After nearly two years and a pair of deadly crashes, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that the 737 Max has been cleared for flight after regulators around the world grounded the Max in March 2019, after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Boeing lands crucial Max deal from Ryanair as grounding ends

The Dublin-based carrier will add to an existing Max purchase by taking 75 more 737-8s.

Pilots Peter Gamble, left, and John Konstanzer talk with journalists and crew members after flying a Boeing 737 Max from Dallas and arriving at the American Airlines Tulsa maintenance facility Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Tulsa, Okla.. Earlier the plane had flown a group of journalists and American Airlines employees from Dallas to the American Airlines Tulsa maintenance facility. (Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP)

Waiting for passengers, American puts Boeing Max in the air

American Airlines is likely to be the first carrier to put passengers on Max jets, beginning Dec. 29.

Pilots Peter Gamble, left, and John Konstanzer talk with journalists and crew members after flying a Boeing 737 Max from Dallas and arriving at the American Airlines Tulsa maintenance facility Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Tulsa, Okla.. Earlier the plane had flown a group of journalists and American Airlines employees from Dallas to the American Airlines Tulsa maintenance facility. (Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP)
A Boeing 737-8AS aircraft, operated by Ryanair, taxis passed an EasyJet passenger jet at Schoenefeld airport in Berlin on March 13, 2019. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Krisztian Bocsi.

Boeing nears Max deal with Ryanair in win for embattled jet

The order would help repnlenish a backlog that’s been depleted since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

A Boeing 737-8AS aircraft, operated by Ryanair, taxis passed an EasyJet passenger jet at Schoenefeld airport in Berlin on March 13, 2019. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Krisztian Bocsi.
A passenger aircraft at Ciudad Real International Airport in Ciudad Real, Spain, on Oct. 27, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Paul Hanna.

Airlines face ‘mission of the century’ in shipping vaccines

Cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bikes and even donkeys may be needed to get the drug to rural areas.

A passenger aircraft at Ciudad Real International Airport in Ciudad Real, Spain, on Oct. 27, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Paul Hanna.
An artist’s conception of a Zunum Aero hybrid-electric plane. (Zunum Aero)

Collapsed hybrid-electric Bothell plane-maker sues Boeing

Zunum alleges that Boeing, an investor, improperly used intellectual property and trade secrets.

An artist’s conception of a Zunum Aero hybrid-electric plane. (Zunum Aero)
FILE - In this Tuesday, June 20, 2017 file photo a Boing 737 MAX 9 airplane performs a demonstration flight at the Paris Air Show, in Le Bourget, east of Paris, France. Europe’s aviation regulator has taken a step closer to letting the Boeing 737 Max fly again. It published a proposed airworthiness directive on Tuesday that could see it clear the aircraft within weeks to resume flying after nearly two years and a pair of deadly crashes. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)

European regulator moves to clear Boeing 737 for flight

The move comes after the FAA already cleared the Boeing 737 Max earlier this month.

FILE - In this Tuesday, June 20, 2017 file photo a Boing 737 MAX 9 airplane performs a demonstration flight at the Paris Air Show, in Le Bourget, east of Paris, France. Europe’s aviation regulator has taken a step closer to letting the Boeing 737 Max fly again. It published a proposed airworthiness directive on Tuesday that could see it clear the aircraft within weeks to resume flying after nearly two years and a pair of deadly crashes. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)

Bothell pilot, 73, dies in plane crash north of Arlington

Ronald Borovec, a longtime aviation enthusiast, was active in the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Steve Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 5, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Zach Gibson.

FAA faces its own reckoning as it gives Boeing path to fly jet

The agency is devoting more time and resources to assess how pilots react to emergencies.

Steve Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 5, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Zach Gibson.
The father of Bhavye Suneja, one of the pilots of a Lion Air plane that crashed in Indonesia, reacts as he leaves for the airport in New Delhi, India, on Oct.29, 2018. The pilot's mother, Sangeeta Suneja, says the FAA and Boeing are bringing the 737 Max back to service prematurely. (AP Photo, file)

Pilot’s mother criticizes FAA, Boeing for rushing Max’s comeback

Her son lost control of a Lion Air plane after an automated system repeatedly pushed its nose down.

The father of Bhavye Suneja, one of the pilots of a Lion Air plane that crashed in Indonesia, reacts as he leaves for the airport in New Delhi, India, on Oct.29, 2018. The pilot's mother, Sangeeta Suneja, says the FAA and Boeing are bringing the 737 Max back to service prematurely. (AP Photo, file)
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