Aircraft construction After "Starliner" problems: Boeing replaces division head

Following problems with the Starliner spacecraft and problems with armaments projects, Boeing has replaced the head of the division responsible. Ted Colbert will be leaving the aircraft manufacturer, the new Boeing boss Kelly Ortberg announced in an e-mail to employees.

Steve Parker, who was previously responsible for the operational business, is to take over the management on an interim basis.

The "Starliner" had recently made Boeing look bad. Problems with the engines and helium leaks occurred during the first flight with two people on board. For safety reasons, the US space agency NASA decided to let the capsule return to earth without people on board. It landed safely.

However, astronaut Suni Williams and astronaut Barry Wilmore will now remain on the International Space Station (ISS) until February instead of a short trip into space. They will then be picked up by the "Crew Dragon" spacecraft from Boeing competitor SpaceX.

Costs too high for "Air Force One"

Boeing's armaments and space division also has other problems. For example, there are high cost overruns in the conversion of two 747 jumbo jets into new aircraft for US presidents. The KC-46 tanker aircraft is also significantly more expensive than planned. The division posted an operating loss of around one billion dollars in the last quarter - and the current quarter is unlikely to be any better.

Ortberg took the helm at Boeing at the beginning of August. The aircraft manufacturer is in crisis following a series of breakdowns. This year, an incident in which a part of the fuselage of a Boeing 737-9 Max broke off during a climb resulted in an increased focus on quality control at the company. Production of the 737 and the 777 long-haul jet is also currently being blocked by a strike by the largest Boeing union with 33,000 employees.