New Delhi: In a move aimed at freeing up its engineering resources, Boeing Co's commercial aeroplane division has hired a new vice president of engineering and brought in another top official for aircraft investigations, the company said. The development comes as the world's largest planemaker braves the biggest crisis in years after deadly crashes of two of its flagship 737 Max aircraft in recent months. The reshuffling in management was made after Europe and Canada said they would conduct their own assurances over the aircraft's safety.
The reshuffling in management was made after Europe and Canada said they would conduct their own assurances over the aircraft's safety
The decision by Europe and Canada will likely complicate plans to get Boeing's 737 Max aircraft operational around the globe after they were grounded in the wake of two accidents that killed over 300 people.
John Hamilton, who earlier served as both vice president and chief engineer in Boeing's Commercial Airplanes division, will focus solely on the role of the chief engineer, the Commercial Airplanes division Chief Executive Officer Kevin McAllister said in an email.
"This will allow him to fully dedicate his attention to the ongoing accident investigations," said McAllister, who added that the staff changes were needed as "we prioritise and bring on additional resources for the ongoing accident investigations."
We prioritise and bring on additional resources for the ongoing accident investigations
Additionally, Lynne Hopper has been named vice president of Engineering. He has previously led Test & Evaluation in Boeing's Engineering, Test & Technology group.
There has been a worldwide ban on Boeing 737 Max flights following the Ethiopian Airlines crash earlier this month, which killed all passengers on board. The Lion Air plane crashed and killed 189 people aboard in Indonesia in October. Both the aircrafts were 737 Max 8.