Boeing faces heightened regulatory scrutiny following two fatal plane crashes and an assembly oversight that led to a panel blowing off a 737 MAX 9 midflight.

Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg today will tell US senators that the company has significantly improved the quality and safety of its products, while stressing the airframer's strategic importance to the US economy and its industrial base.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg will face tough questions on the planemaker's recent safety issues and other hot-button topics on Wednesday when he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee. Lawmakers have been scrutinizing the company since a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new 737 MAX 9 that was missing four key bolts raised fresh questions about Boeing's quality and safety culture,