Trump's chosen Secretary of Transportation promises to maintain the Boeing 737 MAX production limit at 38 units per month
Sean Duffy, nominated by Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation, announced that he will maintain the production limit of the Boeing 737 MAX at 38 aircraft per month. The measure aims to ensure quality standards as the FAA oversees improvements following recent safety incidents.
The nominee chosen by Donald Trump to head the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Sean Duffy, confirmed that the monthly production limit of 38 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will remain in effect. This measure, implemented by former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker, aims to ensure the quality standards of the aircraft following recent incidents.
Strict oversight on Boeing and the FAA
During a Q&A session following his hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Duffy explained that any increase in production will be evaluated alongside FAA safety experts. He also emphasized that he will work with agency leaders to ensure Boeing continues adhering to its safety and quality action plan, developed after the incident involving a door on a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines.
Currently, the FAA operates without an official administrator, with Chris Rocheleau serving as interim deputy administrator. Duffy also highlighted that his leadership will focus on monitoring the effectiveness of established regulatory standards.
Key issues: safety and connectivity
In addition to the production limit on the Boeing 737 MAX, lawmakers raised other critical aviation-related issues:
• Runway incidents: Senator Roger Wicker mentioned a rise in near-miss incidents on runways in recent months. Duffy assured that he would work with safety experts, airports, and air traffic controllers to address these risks comprehensively.
• Connectivity in rural communities: John Thune, a senator from South Dakota, emphasized the importance of programs such as the Essential Air Service (EAS) for rural areas and urged Duffy to ensure their continuity. The nominee committed to supporting these initiatives and facilitating access to pilot training programs.
• Staff shortages in control towers: Tim Sheehy, a senator from Montana, expressed concerns over the lack of personnel in control towers, which affects both safety and the local economy. Duffy promised to prioritize collaboration with operators and airports to address these deficiencies.
Unanimous approval from the Senate Committee
On January 22, the Senate Committee approved Sean Duffy's nomination with a unanimous vote of 28-0, allowing it to move forward to the full Senate for final approval. According to Senator Ted Cruz, Duffy assumes this position at a critical time when the Department of Transportation faces challenges such as air traffic controller shortages and the need to strengthen the safety culture within the industry.
Duffy's nomination has garnered support from various industry organizations, including Airlines for America (A4A), the Regional Airline Association (RAA), and Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), as well as companies such as Joby Aviation, which focuses on developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
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