Following a spate of highly publicized United Airlines safety incidents the carrier’s CEO has messaged customers to acknowledge the rise.
In the message to United Airlines customers on March 18, 2024, CEO Scott Kirby said that the incidents “have our attention and have sharpened our focus”.
Among the most high-profile safety incidents in recent weeks was a Boeing 777-200 that lost a tire shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on March 7, 2024, and a Boeing 737 MAX 8 that veered off the runway at Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on March 8, 2024.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also published a preliminary report into an incident involving “stuck” rudders on a United Boeing 737 MAX 8.
The 737-8 landed at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on February 6, 2024, when the captain reported that during the landing rollout, the rudder pedals failed to move in response to the “normal” application.
“Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety. While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,” Kirby wrote in the message to customers.
The CEO said that the airline is reviewing each incident to understand what happened and using any insights to “inform” safety training.
JUST IN: In a new letter to United customers, CEO Scott Kirby says March incidents "have our attention and have sharpened our focus."
— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) March 18, 2024
Now the airline is adding an extra day of pilot training and retooling training for new mechanics. pic.twitter.com/WbvpgT9eIW
Additionally, the airline is already planning an extra in-house day of training for all its pilots starting in May 2024, and a centralized training curriculum for all new maintenance technicians.
“We empower our team to speak up and raise their hand if they see something wrong. You can be confident that every time a United plane pulls away from the gate, everyone on our team is working together to keep you safe on your trip,” Kirby wrote.
He concluded the message by writing: “I’m confident we’ll learn the right lessons from these incidents and continue to run an operation that puts safety first and makes our employees and customers proud.”
Other United Airlines incidents in 2024:
- United Airlines Boeing 737-800 lands in Oregon with missing fuselage panel
- United Airlines B777-300 bound for SFO returns to Sydney after mechanical issues
- United Airlines pilot diverts Boeing 737 as flames burst from engine
- United A321neo fleet grounded due to issue over passenger ‘No Smoking’ signs
- United Airlines B737-800 flight diverted after crack in windshield found
