During his recent trip to Europe for discussions on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken encountered problems with a Boeing jet. The Air Force C-40 jet, which is a modified version of the Boeing 737, experienced issues that forced Blinken and other State Department officials to travel by car between Paris and Brussels. Despite the setback, they arrived safely in Belgium for the NATO foreign ministers meeting.
This was not the first time Blinken has faced issues with a Boeing aircraft this year. In January, on his way back from Switzerland, the same model of plane experienced a critical failure due to an oxygen leak. As a result, Blinken had to return home in a smaller jet. These incidents have brought attention to Boeing’s practices and raised concerns about the safety of their jets.
The focus on Boeing’s safety measures has increased following recent incidents involving their planes. While some issues may be related to the age of the aircraft, investigations have revealed that the Alaska Airlines flight that experienced a door plug detachment on a 737 Max left the factory without the necessary bolts to secure the door plug. Subsequent incidents on Boeing planes have further highlighted safety concerns and raised questions about the quality of their aircraft.
Boeing has been under scrutiny since these events, with many questioning whether their practices are up to par with industry standards. However, despite these challenges, Blinken and other officials remain committed to ensuring that all individuals traveling by plane are safe and secure.
