Boeing CEO Cancels Paris Air Show Trip After Deadly Air India 787 Crash

Boeing (NYSE:BA) is once again in crisis mode following the fatal crash of an Air India 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing nearly all 242 people onboard. The crash marks the first-ever fatal incident involving the 787, Boeing’s most advanced wide-body jet.

In response, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and Boeing Commercial Airplanes head Stephanie Pope have canceled their upcoming attendance at the Paris Air Show, the aerospace industry’s premier event. Ortberg emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and said Boeing will fully support the investigation, including sending a technical team to India.

Although the cause of the crash remains unknown, early reports from aviation experts suggest no immediate indication of a design or manufacturing flaw. However, public perception remains fragile following years of safety crises, especially involving the 737 MAX series, which was grounded globally after two deadly crashes and a mid-air incident in January 2024.

The 787 involved was over 10 years old, delivered to Air India in 2014, and had logged more than 41,000 flight hours. Despite the Dreamliner’s solid safety history, the tragedy could renew scrutiny on Boeing’s production and quality controls.

Boeing stock closed down 4.8% Thursday, with suppliers like Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) and GE Aerospace also seeing declines. Boeing bonds dipped slightly in secondary markets.

Ortberg had been rebuilding momentum with over 300 new orders and improved 737 production, but the crash puts renewed pressure on Boeing’s leadership and its efforts to restore trust. Industry experts warn that the company must now reassure both regulators and the public amid growing skepticism, even as analysts suggest no long-term impact on production is expected at this stage.