Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg Receives Praise for First Year as Aviation Giant Leader

Boeing's Kelly Ortberg has received praise for his first year as CEO, despite a challenging year for the aviation giant. Aerospace analysts and airline clients have commended his leadership, with Ortberg stepping out of retirement in August 2024 to lead the company. His efforts have helped to improve Boeing's performance, and he has earned a reputation as a skilled and effective leader in the industry.

A year into his tenure as CEO, Kelly Ortberg has received high praise from aerospace analysts and airline customers for his leadership at Boeing. Ortberg, who stepped out of retirement to take the helm in August 2024, has navigated a series of challenges, including the aftermath of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 panel blowout and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In his first year, Ortberg secured a deal to end the Machinists’ strike, bringing Boeing’s Puget Sound factories back online. He also raised $21 billion in an expanded share sale in October, shoring up the company’s balance sheet. The CEO announced significant layoffs to cut 10% of the workforce, focusing on core areas of the business.

Ortberg increased production rates of the 737 MAX, bringing monthly production to the maximum allowed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Boeing reported a net loss of $612 million in the second quarter of 2025, a significant improvement from the $1.4 billion loss in the same period of 2024.

In the defense business, Ortberg’s first year saw the start of a recovery, with two consecutive quarters showing no write-offs from fixed-price government contracts. Boeing won a contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet, the F-47.

Ortberg has also been effective in navigating a volatile macroeconomic environment, including President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The aircraft industry has won exemptions from recent tariffs, leading to massive orders from international customers.

Despite these achievements, Ortberg faced challenges, such as the Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, India, in June. The crash killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. The preliminary report from India’s civil aviation bureau found no recommended actions related to Boeing’s 787 and the General Electric engines powering the Dreamliner.

Looking ahead, Ortberg has outlined a to-do list for his second year, including navigating a work stoppage at Boeing’s St. Louis region defense factories, continuing to increase 737 MAX production, finalizing FAA certification for new plane models, and completing the acquisition of supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

Ortberg’s leadership has been characterized by a focus on quality and safety, with analysts noting improvements in Boeing’s products and deliveries. His approach has been described as “boring but effective,” with a focus on getting the company organized and headed in the right direction.

References:
[1] https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-ceo-kelly-ortberg-didnt-disappoint-in-his-first-year/