Boeing CEO says 'deeply sorry' for 737 airplane crashes

WASHINGTON

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg on Tuesday apologized to the families of the victims of two fatal 737 Max airplane crashes.

"Before we start today, I'd like to speak directly to the families of the victims who are here with us. On behalf of myself and the Boeing Company, we're sorry, deeply and truly sorry," Muilenburg said in testimony to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.

Muilenburg said the losses drove Boeing to improve safety of its planes and industry and the company is committed to fixing problems with Max jetliners.

"I want to convey our absolute commitment to safety or commitment to rebuilding the public's confidence in what we do to prevent accidents like this from ever happening again. We will never forget and that's our commitment going forward," said the Boeing chief.

On March 10, Ethiopian Airlines flight ET-302, a Boeing 737 Max aircraft, crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa airport, killing all 157 on board.

The plane model was also involved in a crash outside Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct. 29. All 189 people onboard Lion Air flight JT610 were killed.

Despite these crashes in the space, Boeing said they remained confident in the safety of the 737 MAX. The company later issued an apology for the crashes.