Federal Judge Cancels Boeing 737 MAX Trial After $1.1B Settlement

A federal judge has cancelled the planned trial of Boeing regarding the deadly crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft that killed nearly 350 people. The cancellation follows a settlement agreement between Boeing and the Department of Justice, under which Boeing will pay over $1 billion in penalties and safety improvements, including $445 million designated for the victims' families. In exchange, the DOJ will dismiss the criminal fraud charge against Boeing, allowing the company to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading regulators prior to the crashes. While the DOJ described the settlement as a fair and just resolution serving the public interest, some families of the crash victims have strongly criticized the deal as a way for Boeing to evade accountability. The judge must still give final approval to the settlement and could potentially reschedule the trial if he does not agree with the terms. Boeing has expressed commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement, including further institutional improvements and compensation for the victims' families.