An expert panel convened by the US government to review safety management processes and their effectiveness for the design and production of commercial aircraft has observed a "safety culture" disconnect between Boeing's senior leaders and other members of the organisation. The panel also notes in its "Section 103 Organization Designation Authorizations (ODA) for Transport Airplanes Expert Panel Review Report" – disclosed on 26 February by the US Federal Aviation Administration –"inadequate and confusing implementation of the five components of a positive safety culture (reporting culture, just culture, flexible culture, learning culture, and informed culture)" at Boeing. Completion of the review by the expert panel meets a requirement of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, the FAA says. The act, signed into law in December 2020, mandates aviation safety reforms and identifies the FAA administrator and certain Congressional committees as recipients of the report. "We will immediately begin a thorough review of the report and determine next steps regarding the recommendations as appropriate," the FAA says, adding: "We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest standard of safety and will work to ensure the company comprehensively addresses these recommendations." The report notes that "more than 4,000 pages of Boeing documents, seven surveys, over 250 interviews, and meetings with Boeing employees across six company locations" are at the core of its findings and recommendations. Boeing says "We transparently supported the panel's review and appreciate their work. We've taken important steps to foster a safety culture that empowers and encourages all employees to share their voice. But there is more work to do. We will carefully review the panel's assessment and learn from their findings, as we continue our comprehensive efforts to improve our safety and quality programs."

Alaska Airlines plans to launch new flights between Portland in Oregon and Atlanta in Georgia starting 1 October. The carrier says it will operate the route daily using Boeing 737s. With the addition of Portland-Atlanta flights, Alaska Airlines will serve 54 nonstop destinations from Portland.

The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (CAA) and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop Asia’s first specialised mediation framework for the aviation industry. The MOU was signed at the Singapore Airshow on 21 February. Mediation is a “fast, flexible and cost-effective mode of alternative dispute resolution”, which could potentially translate into “potential time and cost savings for commercial parties in a dispute”, says Chuan Wee Meng, chief executive officer of SIMC. “We are delighted to partner with The Hague CAA which specialises in addressing disputes within the aviation sector and is committed to advancing the use of mediation within it. In a fast-moving, mission-critical industry like aviation, the speedy resolution of disputes is absolutely essential,” adds Chuan. Unlike court litigation, where judges determine the outcome of cases, mediation is a facilitated negotiation under the guidance of a professionally trained mediator, who helps parties arrive at an outcome that they can both agree on. “In the past few years, the industry in Asia has faced unprecedented challenges because of the pandemic. An efficient method for dispute resolution between industry players is key to help the industry back to growth and success,” states Paul Ng, co-chair of the mediation standing committee of the Hague CAA and head of aviation at law firm Rajah & Tann.
The Hague CAA and SIMC also agreed to promote the “incorporation of suitable model dispute resolution clauses” in Asia.