Bean counters may be behind Boeing’s woes

AIRCRAFT maker Boeing’s recent failure to bring back two US astronauts stranded in the International Space Station encapsulates the depth of the firm’s problems.

The drama began with the June launch of Boeing’s long-delayed manned flight to the station. But helium leaks turned a 10-day crewed flight experiment into a months-long ordeal. The two astronauts will now have to wait until February for Elon Musk’s SpaceX vehicle.

Boeing and Airbus are the world’s top commercial aircraft manufacturers. But some time ago, Boeing’s bosses apparently decided to put the interests of shareholders above all else.