Boeing makes $ 100 million pledge for 737 MAX crash-related support

SEATTLE, REUTERS: Boeing Co. said last week it would give $ 100 million over multiple years to local governments and non-profit organisations to help families and communities affected by the deadly crashes of its 737 MAX planes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. 

The move appears to be a step toward repairing the image of the world’s largest planemaker, which has been severely dented by the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane in March just five months after a similar crash of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia. 

The two crashes killed a total of 346 people. 

Boeing is the target of a US Department of Justice criminal investigation into the development of the 737 MAX, regulatory probes and more than 100 lawsuits by victims’ families. 

The multiyear payout is independent of the lawsuits and would have no impact on litigation, a Boeing spokesman said. 

The $ 100 million, which is less than the list price of a 737 MAX 8, is meant to help with education and living expenses and to spur economic development in affected communities, Boeing said. It did not specify which authorities or organisations would receive the money. 

Many of the passengers on board the Ethiopian Airlines flight were aid workers or involved with health, food, or environmental programs.