Southwest CEO Says He Was Blindsided by Recent Boeing Max Moves
- Kelly says grounded jet ought to be able to fly before midyear
- Planemaker’s reversal on simulators also came as a surprise
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Boeing Co.’s recent announcements about the 737 Max came as unpleasant surprises to the grounded jetliner’s biggest operator: Southwest Airlines Co.
Gary Kelly, Southwest’s chief executive officer, said he was caught off guard early this month when Boeing reversed course and recommended flight-simulator training before pilots fly the Max. Kelly got another jolt this week when Boeing said the plane’s return will probably slip to midyear.