US President Joe Biden pokes fun at Boeing's mid-flight incidents

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun says he'll be stepping down by the end of the year amid scrutiny

By
Web Desk
Joe Biden says he avoids doors on aeroplanes. — Reuters/File
Joe Biden says he avoids doors on aeroplanes. — Reuters/File

United States President Joe Biden recently joked about avoiding doors on his Air Force One aircraft as aviation giant Boeing handles a slew of mid-flight mishaps, according to the New York Post.

"I don't sit by the door," quipped the 81-year-old President said during a high-dollar campaign fundraiser at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

He quickly added: "I'm only kidding. I shouldn't joke about that."

Biden's remarks came as he responded to a question about whether Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tightened the bolts on the presidential plane, bringing levity to the fundraiser and underscoring concerns about aviation safety and Boeing's ongoing challenges.

Earlier this year, a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-flight door blowout which led to the grounding of all 737 Max 9s by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) followed by a series of mid-flight incidents.

Boeing has sinced faced increased scrutiny by aviation authorities.

Boeing aircrafts have been reported with missing bolts, another Boeing aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Japan due to a crack in the cockpit window, and one lost its front tire as it took off from Atlanta International Airport for Bogota in Colombia, among others.

These incidents have negatiely impacted the company's reputation and have raised safety concerns.

As a result of these unfrtunate events, earlier this week, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his decision to step down at the end of the year.