Aviation industry needs to refocus, says Wizz Air CEO
Reuters
Published Jan 25, 2024 07:28AM ET
Updated Jan 25, 2024 08:09AM ET
By Joanna Plucinska
LONDON (Reuters) - The airline industry will have to put quality at the forefront and refocus in the wake of an incident where a cabin panel blew off a Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines plane, Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi told Reuters on Thursday.
U.S. regulators on Wednesday froze increases in production of the 737 MAX, raising concerns over growth plans of airlines and suppliers worldwide.
The FAA said the order meant Boeing could continue producing MAX jets at the current monthly rate, but it could not increase that rate.
"Production lines across the industry will be somewhat contained until absolute certainty is created around quality control," Varadi said.
While Wizz Air is an Airbus customer, Varadi said "technological development will slow down because of increased scrutiny."
The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to some of the quality challenges, impacting workforces and access to materials, he added.
"Every actor needs to put out the right system to minimize any of the hiccups arising from new tech or production."
Wizz Air reported a bigger third-quarter operating loss than expected on Thursday, as the budget carrier grapples with engine inspections that have grounded parts of its fleet and the suspension of flights due to the Middle East conflict.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.