In a turbulent quarter marked by deepening financial losses and ongoing labor unrest, Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, announced a strategic plan to tackle the significant issues weighing down the company. Boeing’s latest quarterly report shows record losses, underscoring the urgency of Ortberg’s goals for a cultural reset and operational stabilization as the aerospace giant faces mounting debt and an erosion of trust from customers and investors alike.
Massive Quarterly Losses and Strategic Shifts
Boeing’s reported net loss for the quarter surged to $6.2 billion, a sharp rise from $1.6 billion in the same period last year. The commercial airplane division, impacted by a strike from over 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM), accounted for $4 billion of the company’s losses. This significant dip, coupled with persistent challenges in the defense and space sectors, marks a critical period for Boeing, one of America’s most iconic manufacturers and exporters.
Ortberg, who took the helm in August, spoke candidly about Boeing’s issues on a recent call with investors, acknowledging the difficulties that lie ahead. “We’re clearly at a crossroads,” he said, citing issues such as excessive debt, customer dissatisfaction, and a diminished reputation. Ortberg emphasized the need for a complete cultural overhaul and insisted that rebuilding trust across the board would be a lengthy, multi-faceted process.
Program Delays and Expensive Charges
The financial burdens on Boeing stem not only from labor disputes but also from continued challenges with key projects. The company took a $3 billion pre-tax charge due to delays in its next-generation commercial jet, the 777X. This program has faced numerous setbacks during testing, pushing its anticipated first delivery to 2026. The delay also impacted plans to retire the 767 freighter model, further extending Boeing’s timeline for recovery in its commercial sector.
The defense and space programs have also encountered obstacles, leading Boeing to report an additional $2 billion in pre-tax charges. The much-anticipated Starliner spacecraft experienced technical issues during its initial crewed flight, forcing the vehicle to return without astronauts. This incident not only left two NASA astronauts on the International Space Station for months but also underscored the growing costs and risks associated with Boeing’s space endeavors. The Starliner setback, though not fully broken out financially by the company, is believed to have cost Boeing hundreds of millions.
Cash Flow Woes and the Strike’s Ongoing Impact
Boeing’s challenges are further compounded by bleak cash flow forecasts for 2025. Despite hopes for a quick resolution to the IAM strike, which started on September 13, Boeing anticipates continued negative cash flow, projecting that operational expenses will outstrip revenue for the foreseeable future. As Ortberg noted, “Ending the IAM strike is top of mind for everyone right now.” Boeing’s leadership has been negotiating intensely to reach an agreement with the union that meets both the company’s financial requirements and employee expectations.
Even if the strike is resolved soon, restarting production to pre-strike levels will be a complex and gradual process. Boeing’s 737 Max production line has been significantly affected, and Ortberg cautioned that returning to the production of 38 units per month will require careful management. “It’s much harder to turn this on than it is to turn it off,” he explained, stressing the importance of prioritizing quality over speed in resuming operations.
Debt Levels and Potential Downgrades
Since early 2019, Boeing has reported almost continuous losses, amassing a total of $39.3 billion in core operating losses. To sustain its operations, Boeing has relied on debt, with long-term debt climbing from $47 billion at the beginning of this year to $53 billion by September’s end. This escalating debt has raised concerns among credit rating agencies, and Standard & Poor’s is considering downgrading Boeing’s credit rating to junk status, a historic low for the company.
Despite Boeing’s recent setbacks, its standing in the global aerospace industry as one of only two major commercial jet manufacturers alongside Airbus provides it with a degree of stability. While some airlines have taken the opportunity to cancel Boeing orders due to delays, switching entirely to Airbus is impractical for most, as it would involve long waiting times to receive aircraft. This duopoly effectively secures Boeing’s place in the industry, even as it contends with substantial financial and operational challenges.
Tentative Deal and Employee Relations
On the labor front, Boeing has made an offer to IAM members that includes a significant wage increase—12% immediately, with a total increase of 35% over four years. Boeing has also committed to enhancing retirement contributions, but notably, the proposal does not reinstate the traditional pension plan that was discontinued a decade ago. This omission has generated mixed reactions among union members, who previously rejected a tentative agreement, leading to the current strike.
Ortberg expressed optimism for an eventual resolution, stating, “We’ve worked hard to find a deal that respects both employee needs and the company’s long-term goals.” If union members accept the proposal, the strike could conclude within days, allowing production to restart.
Boeing’s Struggles in Context
Boeing’s financial and operational troubles began long before the current strike. The grounding of its flagship 737 Max following two fatal crashes initiated a series of financial and reputational blows from which Boeing has yet to recover. The 20-month suspension of the 737 Max program created significant delivery delays, forcing some customers to cancel orders without penalty and reducing Boeing’s projected revenue stream. The airline industry’s slow recovery from the pandemic has added to Boeing’s woes, as reduced demand continues to affect production levels.
More recently, quality control issues have resurfaced. An Alaska Airlines 737 Max suffered a technical incident in January, leading to investigations that revealed the aircraft had missed critical bolts in assembly. Incidents like these have led the Federal Aviation Administration to heighten its oversight of Boeing, delaying Boeing’s plans to boost production of the Max line and restricting the company’s ability to respond to increasing demand.
Boeing’s Future and Economic Role
Despite Boeing’s current challenges, the company remains a vital part of the U.S. economy. As America’s largest exporter, Boeing supports an estimated 1.6 million jobs across 10,000 suppliers nationwide. The strike and production delays have already affected some of these suppliers, prompting workforce reductions.
Boeing’s position as a cornerstone of American manufacturing and its essential role in global air travel imply that, with focused leadership and a commitment to quality and safety, the company has the potential to recover. The path forward, however, will require a firm commitment to the cultural and structural changes Ortberg has outlined.
The quarter’s substantial losses and the uncertain timeline for production recovery underscore the scale of Boeing’s challenges. But with determined leadership and focused reforms, Boeing may yet rebuild its legacy and navigate through these turbulent times toward stability and renewed trust among its stakeholders.
