After years of turbulence, the aerospace giant shows signs of sustained recovery

Boeing is finally pulling out of its long descent.

Less than a year after taking the helm, CEO Kelly Ortberg is making a noticeable impact, delivering steady gains in aircraft output, rebalancing the company’s defense portfolio, and beginning to restore investor confidence after a string of crises that battered the aerospace giant’s reputation and finances.

“He’s showing up,” one Boeing insider told CNBC. “And for the first time in years, things are getting better.”

Commercial Recovery Takes Flight

In the first quarter of 2025, Boeing posted $19.5 billion in revenue, beating Wall Street expectations and narrowing its net loss to just $31 million, down from $355 million the year before. Aircraft deliveries surged to 130 commercial planes, a sharp increase from 83 a year ago.

The company’s workhorse 737 Max is also regaining momentum. Monthly production now stands at 38 aircraft, with plans to increase to 42 by midyear and potentially 47 by the end of 2025.

Ortberg has emphasized a shift from speed to precision. That strategy appears to be paying off: Boeing says it has reduced defects in the 737 Max program by 30 percent while improving coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

A Big Win in Defense: The F-47

Boeing’s defense division, long overshadowed by its commercial troubles, secured a major victory this year. The company won the U.S. Air Force contract to build the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet, now designated the F-47.

The sixth-generation stealth fighter will anchor Boeing’s defense business for years to come and mark its return to elite fighter production, a space once dominated by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

Ortberg called the win “transformational,” and analysts agree: the contract brings long-term growth potential and much-needed diversification for Boeing’s revenue mix.

China Reopens, but Trade Risks Remain

In a significant development, Boeing confirmed that commercial aircraft deliveries to China will resume by June 2025, after being halted for years amid geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.

Still, Ortberg struck a cautious tone. “We’re not betting the farm on China,” he said in a recent interview. The country now accounts for only 10 percent of Boeing’s $500 billion backlog, down sharply from previous years. The company has worked to shift sales to India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Yet challenges persist. The Biden administration’s latest tariffs on Chinese components have begun to eat into Boeing’s margins, and any escalation in trade disputes could disrupt delivery timelines once again.

Fixing the Culture, Not Just the Planes

Ortberg, a longtime aerospace veteran known for his operational rigor, is tackling what may be Boeing’s most difficult issue: its internal culture.

Following years of criticism over safety lapses, poor communication with regulators, and low morale, Ortberg has begun rebuilding trust within the company and across the supply chain. Employee engagement scores have reportedly improved, and relations with the FAA are said to be on firmer footing.

However, Boeing still faces reputational headwinds. Lawsuits, regulatory probes, and customer skepticism remain part of the company’s reality and will likely linger for years.

Trouble in the Skies: Air Force One Delays

Despite the progress, not everything is running smoothly. Boeing’s contract to retrofit two new VC-25B aircraft, the future Air Force One, is significantly behind schedule and over budget. New deliveries are not expected until at least 2027 to 2029, drawing continued scrutiny from Congress and defense officials.

What’s Next for Ortberg

Since taking over in August 2024, Kelly Ortberg has guided Boeing through a critical stabilization period. Stock performance reflects the renewed optimism: Boeing shares are up more than 30 percent in 2025, outperforming broader industrial benchmarks.

But whether Ortberg can keep the company aloft will depend on his ability to execute in three key areas:

• Scaling production while maintaining quality
• Delivering on major defense contracts like the F-47
• Fully restoring Boeing’s brand and safety culture

For now, analysts and investors are cautiously optimistic.

“He inherited a storm,” said one aerospace consultant. “But if Ortberg keeps this up, Boeing may finally be on a flight path to recovery.”