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Written by Joanna Prusinska and Tim Heffer
COLOGNE (Reuters) – The acting head of Europe’s aviation regulator said on Wednesday that the agency would suspend indirect approvals for Boeing Co.’s jet production if justified, but said the agency would halt indirect approvals for Boeing Co.’s jet production if justified, even as the plane maker grapples with its latest safety crisis. He said he was relieved that he was there.
In an interview with Reuters, Luc Titgat, acting director-general of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, said publicly for the first time that the international cooperation that underpins global aircraft production is being tested by an unprecedented crisis. suggested.
Asked if EASA was prepared to stop approving U.S. manufacturing safety approvals that declare Boeing planes to be safely built, Titgat said: “If necessary, yes.”
Boeing has been under increasing pressure over quality control at its factories since January 5, when a door plug on a 737 MAX 9 plane tore off mid-air, blamed on a missing bolt.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced last week that an audit of Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems found multiple management deficiencies.
Under the Transatlantic Agreement, the FAA and EASA regulate the factories of their respective aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, and recognize each other’s safety approvals.
However, if either side loses confidence in the other’s compliance checks, they can call for consultation and, if consultation fails, the certification can be suspended after a 30-day suspension.
Such procedures are rare.
“As soon as we see a justification or situation that requires us to take appropriate action, all tools must be readily available,” Teitgat said, adding that such action was not imminent. .
EASA’s influence over Boeing plane design has increased in the wake of the MAX crashes, but there are relatively few ways to tighten production oversight of existing Boeing models other than the drastic option of suspending approvals.
When asked what would push EAA to such a high point, Titgat said only of himself: “There will be many more fatalities in the future.”
The FAA did not comment directly on EASA’s remarks, but a spokesperson reiterated the agency’s previous statement that Boeing needed to make “real, fundamental improvements.”
Boeing had no comment.
‘Relief’ after Boeing meeting
But Titgat saw no immediate threat to Boeing’s production certification.
“I don’t know why (it) is not sustainable today. It’s more the situation of surveillance and monitoring that is in place.”
Titgat said his discussions with senior Boeing executives on Friday were encouraging.
“I’ve seen changes in management. They place a lot of emphasis on quality control and product quality, and it’s really reassuring to see that top management is willing to change production quality control.” he said.
He said EASA officials visited Boeing’s 737 aircraft factory last week. But Titgat ruled out a permanent presence, saying it would be “against the spirit” of the Transatlantic Security Agreement.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said Monday that the agency would take action if there was a reason to halt Boeing’s production.
Experts say a decision by either of the world’s two most powerful aviation regulators to overturn Boeing’s or Airbus’ approval to build jets would push the safety crisis into uncharted territory and threaten politics. points out that it is likely to cause a negative reaction.
(Reporting by Joanna Plucinska and Tim Hepher; Additional reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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