BOEING FORMS COMMERCIAL AIRPLANES SECURITY AND SAFETY ORGANIZATION

Underscoring its focus on enhancing the safety and efficiency of the air transportation system, The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) announced today it is forming a Security and Safety Services organization under its Commercial Airplanes business.

Industry safety veteran Charlie Higgins will lead the team to enhance the safety, security and efficiency of airplanes and the larger air transport system. Higgins, who has 30 years of experience working together with industry and government, most recently was vice president of safety and airworthiness for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"There is no more urgent priority at Boeing than helping our customers," said Alan Mulally, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. "Recent events prove there is a place for new technology and quick action that lead to a more secure air transport system.

The experts in this industry are working hard to bring that technology to bear. We will sharpen that effort, which will give passengers the confidence they expect when flying."

Boeing Security and Safety Services' immediate focus will be to help customers implement the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Transportation Rapid Response Team on Aircraft Security (commonly known as the Mineta task force).

Boeing and industry have been working around the clock to find ways to meet recommendations to prevent cockpit intrusion; designing video-monitoring equipment to allow pilots to keep watch on the passenger cabin. They are examining ways for positive tracking of aircraft even after transponders have been switched off. Many of the solutions will be applicable to the entire fleet, not just those jets made by Boeing.

"These activities are just the start, however," Higgins said. "True security can be accomplished only by addressing all aspects of air travel. After we address the Mineta team recommendations, the next layers out from that are the entire aircraft and the transport system itself."

The new organization is working to employ the vast store of Boeing intellectual capital to create new ways to enhance safety throughout all aspects of the aviation and transportation industries.

"The team is working toward a wider range of improvements that will create a more secure and efficient air transport system for the 21st century," Higgins added.

In partnership with airlines and industry, Boeing also is looking beyond immediate fixes for ways to enhance the security of the entire flight process - for passengers, cabin crews, flight crews, ground personnel, airports and airline operations. Security and Safety Services will be part of Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Commercial Aviation Services unit.