Alaska Airlines expands quality controls on Boeing 737 production (NYSE:ALK)

Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) plans to implement and expand quality-control inspections on the production of its planes, according to a statement Saturday. The move comes after a midair emergency on one of its Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737 Max 9 planes this month.

The airline’s management recently met with Boeing’s (BA) leadership team to discuss quality-improvement plans.

The Federal Aviation Administration also began a formal investigation of Boeing’s (BA) operations after a metal panel blew out from the cabin of a 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines (ALK) shortly after takeoff, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon, on January 5.

Alaska Air (ALK) “will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing (BA),” the carrier said. “Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing (BA) production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.”