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- Emirates President Tim Clark called on Boeing to "put the house in order."
- The manufacturer is dealing with criticism since the Alaska Airlines blowout.
- Clark said Boeing's board should prioritize manufacturing over shareholder value.
The boss of Emirates criticized Boeing and called on its leaders to prioritize quality manufacturing over finances, in an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday.
"They have got to instill this safety culture which is second to none," said Sir Tim Clark. "This is the last chance saloon."
The Dubai-based airline is one of Boeing's biggest customers. Last November, Emirates placed a huge $52 billion order for 95 Boeing 777 and 787 jets.
Boeing is dealing with increased scrutiny following the Alaska Airlines blowout on January 5. The 737 Max 9, delivered 66 days earlier, lost a door plug in midair.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the plane left Boeing's factory missing key bolts designed to keep the door plug in place.
And on Sunday night, several outlets reported that holes were misdrilled in 50 Boeing 737 Max fuselages, delaying deliveries.
As part of its fight to show improvement, Boeing has invited engineers from several airlines to oversee the production line, including Emirates.
"The fact that we're having to do that is testament to what has happened. This would not have been sanctioned in the old days," Clark told the FT. "You know, we trusted these people implicitly to get it done."
The Emirates president said "the priority of everybody on the board" should be how and where Boeing produces its planes, rather than the return on investment, shareholder value, or bonuses.
"That will come if you do it right in the first place," he added.
Last week, Boeing declined to offer a financial forecast for 2024 as it reported its fourth-quarter earnings. "Now is not the time for that," said CEO Dave Calhoun.
Clark told the FT he was confident that Boeing will "restore itself to its former glory" and continue to produce great aircraft.
"But they've got to put the house in order at the moment. And this is a major shift in the priorities," he added.