Boeing’s 737 Aircraft in Spotlight After Jeju Air Incident, Stocks Dropping

Image screen shotted from Boeing's official website.

The Boeing 737 has long been a reliable workhorse for airlines worldwide, serving both low-cost and full-service carriers. However, following the Jeju Air crash, concerns about the aircraft’s reliability have resurfaced. This scrutiny is heightened by the infamous MCAS system issues associated with the 737 MAX variant.

Reports state, Boeing stock fell over 5% early Monday after a Jeju Air flight crash killed 179 people. The Boeing 737-800 jet crash renewed investor concerns, despite it not being a 737 MAX, which had been grounded between March 2019 and November 2020 due to safety issues.

Shares closed down 2.3% at $176.55, trading as low as $170.15, down 5.8%. This year, Boeing stock is down about 31%, impacted by ongoing quality issues.

Boeing 737’s reliability

The history of the world’s most popular aircraft, with nearly 12,000 produced, is extensive. The first variant was launched in 1967, followed by numerous other versions. The -800 series began production around 1998 and is considered one of the safest aircraft globally.

It remains uncertain whether the Jeju Air disaster was due to Boeing, the airline, or other factors, as investigations are ongoing and may take years to conclude. Unfortunately for Boeing, public sentiment has swiftly turned critical towards the manufacturer.

Public sentiment towards Boeing

Comments like these are widespread on X and TikTok, with users claiming they’d refuse to fly any 737 models. Given its popularity, technical errors are inevitable in some aircraft. One X user highlights that maintenance responsibility also falls on the operator. The manufacturer shouldn’t be solely blamed, especially for aircrafts over 10 years old.

Boeing’s future

Boeing’s future remains uncertain, influenced by factors such as financial performance, market outlook, production rates, and debt levels. Despite reporting a fourth-quarter revenue of $22.0 billion and a GAAP loss per share of ($0.04), Boeing generated $3.4 billion in operating cash flow and $3.0 billion in free cash flow.

The Commercial Market Outlook predicts steady growth in global air traffic and airplane demand through 2043. Boeing plans to increase 737 MAX production rates in 2025, pending FAA approval and supply chain constraints. However, high debt levels continue to pose a significant challenge.