Boeing Enlists Ryanair Aid With Enhanced Plane Inspections After Mid-Air Mishap

Dublin – Boeing has requested support from Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair to boost real-time plane inspections following last week’s dramatic mid-air panel loss on an Alaska Airlines jet. The rare inflight blowout saw a Boeing 737 Max jet shed cladding panels over Washington state. While safely landing, the incident has spurred Boeing to act preventing similar issues.

The aircraft maker has now asked select partners like Ryanair to deploy additional engineers to ramp up visual quality checks before departures. Having engineers from trusted operators like Ryanair double-check plane exteriors aims to spot issues early. “Ryanair confirmed it had been asked by Boeing to carry out the pre-departure checks and said it complied with the request,” reported a Ryanair spokesperson. The airline operates the largest 737 fleet in Europe.

For Boeing, the voluntary inspections by respected third parties help rebuild confidence after years of scrutiny over manufacturing defects. The moves add an extra safety net while Boeing works closely with regulators reviewing its quality control processes. While not legally required, involving outside technical experts provides Boeing transparent proof that scrutiny is intensifying across the board. Ryanair’s input in particular holds weight given its reputation for rigorous maintenance standards.