US Justice Department Drops Charges in Favor of Settlement and Safety Reforms

A federal judge in Texas has dismissed the US government’s criminal case against Boeing over the 737 MAX crashes, ending the case in exchange for additional penalties and safety reforms. The decision was made in response to a Justice Department request, which the judge deemed sufficient to ensure the safety of the flying public. Boeing will pay over $1.1 billion in fines and compensation, and will also be allowed to choose its own compliance adviser. The outcome spares Boeing a criminal conviction that could have threatened its eligibility for US government contracts.