The Federal Aviation Administration is facing its first major aviation disaster in 16 years without a leader because Elon Musk helped push him out. Michael Whitaker stepped down as FAA administrator on January 20th,

Elon Musk pushed Federal Aviation Administration Chief Michael Whitaker from his post just 10 days before the deadly plane and Black Hawk helicopter crash over Washington, DC.

BA stock, with -32% returns since the beginning of 2024, has significantly underperformed the S&P 500 index, up 27%.

Mike Whitaker, unanimously confirmed as the FAA administrator in October 2023, stepped down early from his five-year term on Jan. 20 when Trump took office and for 10 days the FAA declined to say who was running the agency on an acting basis. Trump has not yet named a permanent candidate to replace Whitaker.

Boeing argued that the exemption would enable quicker certification and delivery of the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10 aircraft.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company was “seeing encouraging signs” as it tries to turn around following a rough 2024.

Despite more than $11 billion lost last year, investors are growing more optimistic about Boeing’s financial health. On Tuesday, the plane maker released fourth-quarter earnings showing nearly $4 billion in losses.

Boeing reported a hefty fourth-quarter loss Tuesday following a bruising 2024, but shares rallied on hopes that early turnaround signs under a new CEO may bear fruit.The US aviation giant reported a fourth-quarter loss of $3.

The FAA initiated the rulemaking process to avert serious injuries to seated occupants on the seats of Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 aircraft.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on Tuesday faces investors antsy for answers on how the company plans to move forward from manufacturing problems after posting its sixth consecutive annual loss.

On today’s briefing we talk about DeepSeek’s impact on travel, AirAsia Move’s new chairman, and Boeing’s sunny take on cloudy earnings.