As Boeing continues to rebuild trust in the 737 MAX, the company is focusing on China as the next market to establish sales of the aircraft. In order to do this, the planemaker is seeking support from the US government, according to reports.

An executive hopes to improve the company's relationship with the White House to move forward. It comes as the manufacturer has seen a small milestone in China despite still underperforming with rival Airbus' recent success.

Slight progress

Boeing has finally been able to make some progress on the 737 MAX in China for the first time in nearly four years. Earlier this month, China Southern Airlines became the first Chinese carrier to operate the aircraft in a passenger flight since it was grounded in 2019.

The US and China have reportedly searched for common ground. According to Bloomberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to visit Beijing in early February, potentially followed by Chinese President Xi Jinping traveling to the US in November to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 in flight
Photo: Boeing

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The person with the plan

Ziad Ojakli is Boeing's Executive Vice President of Government Operations. As a member of the company's executive council, Ojakli also serves as the chief lobbyist and is behind refining the manufacturer's relations with government officials to further 737 MAX sales in China.

When asked for comment on Saturday, a spokesperson for Boeing told Simple Flying, "we don't have anything to add." But, a US Trade Representative spoke to Bloomberg in October, acknowledging Boeing as a principal exporter.

"Boeing is a very important stakeholder," the representative said. "But Boeing on its own doesn't determine our trade policy."

Despite Ojakli being set to put Boeing in the White House's spotlight, his concerns come as President Biden is focused on other issues that take precedence, such as the tensions over Taiwan and work being done to decouple the US and China's economies, which are the largest in the world.

Boeing 737 MAX taxiing at Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport.
Photo: Boeing

Fostering improved relations

Just last year, Boeing moved its global headquarters from Chicago to Virginia, just a short distance from The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As both agencies have scrutinized the manufacturer in recent years, Boeing reportedly cited the move to promote better relations with the government.

Defense Consultant Executive and long-time political observer Loren Thompson spoke about Boeing's move to ch-aviation.

"Everything legislatively was easier before the two crashes and pandemic," said Thompson. "In terms of their business, this is doubly important to Boeing right now because it has lost ground to Airbus on the commercial side, and its defense operations are performing weakly."

China's shift to Airbus in recent years has been a costly move for Boeing. Only eight aircraft were delivered to China last year compared to more than 100 by its European rival.

In US-China talks, Biden's team has tended to focus on Chinese economic practices that disadvantage many US companies rather than pressing for specific concessions for Boeing, according to ch-aviation.

Sources: Bloomberg, ch-aviation

  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker