The CEO of Boeing, David Calhoun was grilled by the Senators on Tuesday in regard to the aviation giant’s safety and transparency during his first appearance before the US Congress, This comes after an exit door blew out of a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January this year.
Among the questions faced by Calhoun, one was from Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who kept asking the CEO about his salary per year, which saw a 45 per cent increase from 2022. The rise in his earnings were witnessed even at a time when the aviation company was not doing well in terms of their business.
As per media reports, the aviation giant CEO’s total compensation rose to $32.8 million in 2023, which is a 45 per cent increase from the $22.6 million that he received the previous year.
Taking a dig at the Boeing CEO, Senator Hawley said Calhoun is only interested in “cutting corners” and extracting all money out of the aviation giant, without paying any attention to the transparency of the company, passengers’ safety and quality checks.
“You’re eliminating safety procedures, you’re sticking it your employees, you’re cutting back jobs, you’re trying to squeeze every piece of profit you can out of this company…You’re strip mining Boeing…for profit, shareholder value and you’re rewarded for it. You got a huge raise, you increase, so it’s working out great for you,” the Senator said.
The US Congressman also mentioned the multiple investigations that are currently underway in connection with the Boeing incidents, including if the aviation giant completed required inspections on its 787 aircraft and if the employees falsified records, an India Today report quoted.
“Don’t you think your priorities are misplaced here?” Hawley questioned the Boeing CEO during the Senate hearing.
He also asked Hawley why he hadn’t resigned yet.
“I’m sticking this through. I’m proud of having taken the job. I’m proud of our safety record. And I am very proud of our Boeing people,” the CEO responded to Hawley’s questions.
In a recent case, families of some of the people who died in two Boeing 737 Max crashes asked federal officials to fine Boeing $24.8 billion and move quickly to prosecute the company on a criminal charge that was set aside three years ago.
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