Boeing touts 737 Max as 'the safest airplane' at Singapore Airshow despite concerns

Boeing's 737 Max aircraft has been at the center of attention, with the company staunchly defending its safety. Despite facing questions over a midair blowout, Dave Schulte, Boeing's commercial marketing managing director for Asia-Pacific, emphasized that it is "the safest airplane that can be out there today." He highlighted the extensive scrutiny the 737 Max 9 has undergone, asserting its safety and reliability. Schulte even shared his personal experience, having recently flown on the aircraft with his family.

The company has not been without its challenges. A midflight blowout of a fuselage panel on one of Boeing's 737 Max 9 planes operated by Alaska Airlines earlier this year raised concerns about safety, particularly after loose bolts were discovered during preliminary inspections. Additionally, Boeing recorded a decline in aircraft orders and deliveries, leading to the replacement of the head of its 737 Max program.

Despite these issues, Boeing did not display any commercial planes at the Singapore Airshow. Instead, the focus was on showcasing its defense capabilities, featuring fighter jets such as the B-52 Stratofortress, which participated in the U.S. Air Force aerial display. The company also presented a cabin display of its wide-body 777X passenger plane, which has faced delivery delays but is touted as the world's largest twin-engine jet.

While Boeing's commercial planes were absent from the airshow, attention turned to its competitors, particularly China's domestic jetliner, Comac C919. Schulte acknowledged the similarities between the C919 and the offerings by Boeing and Airbus, noting that airlines in Southeast Asia may consider it. However, he cautioned that Comac would also need to overcome supply disruptions similar to those faced by its established counterparts. Despite the competition, Schulte indicated that the C919 is included in Boeing's long-term forecast, recognizing its potential impact on the market.

Comac C919

Industry experts weighed in on the potential impact of the Comac C919. Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation expressed that it is still early to determine if Comac could disrupt the commercial aviation duopoly. While Comac has secured orders from Chinese carriers, including Tibet Airlines and Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group, its global impact remains uncertain.

Additionally, Christian Scherer, chief executive officer of Airbus's aircraft commercial business, downplayed the potential threat posed by the C919, likening it to existing Airbus narrow-body planes and noting its similarities to established models by Airbus and Boeing.

As the aviation industry navigates the challenges presented by the pandemic, both Boeing and Airbus have faced pressure to increase production, leading to strains on their supply chains. Amid these dynamics, the emergence of the Comac C919 introduces a new player into the market, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in the long term.

Boeing's assertions about the safety of its 737 Max aircraft and its acknowledgement of the competition posed by the Comac C919 reflect the evolving dynamics in the global aviation industry. As the industry continues to evolve, the impact of these developments on market dynamics and consumer choices will be closely monitored.