Boeing fires boss Muilenburg amid 737 troubles

Dennis Muilenburg

Boeing has fired its chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, a move the board of directors said "was necessary to restore confidence" in the firm.

David Calhoun, Boeing's current chairman, will take over as chief executive and president from 13 January.

Mr. Muilenburg had faced calls for his resignation over the company's response to two deadly crashes involving the firm's best-selling 737 Max airliner.

The jet has been grounded since March.

Last week, Boeing said it would halt production of the plane while it waited for regulators to certify the jet's safety.

"The board of directors decided that a change in leadership was necessary to restore confidence in the company moving forward as it works to repair relationships with regulators, customers, and all other stakeholders," Boeing's statement said.

Boeing added that Lawrence Kellner would become non-executive chairman with immediate effect.

"Under the company's new leadership, Boeing will operate with a renewed commitment to full transparency, including effective and proactive communication with the FAA [Federal Aviation Authority], other global regulators and its customers."

BBC.Com