But several aviation experts interviewed by AFP said the move may also represent a key step towards Muilenburg's eventual exit from the company, with the timing depending on how Muilenburg performs during an especially crucial period in the coming weeks, including at a critical Capitol Hill performance later this month. The decision looks to be "an effort by the board to maintain leadership continuity in the crisis while simultaneously signalling change," said Richard Aboulafia, a vice president at the Teal Group, a market analysis firm. "The move also creates a smooth path to replacing Muilenburg if things don't go well over the next two or three months." Boeing's announcement came just hours after a report by international regulators sharply criticized Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration over the certification of the MAX. The report gave further ammunition to critics who accuse Boeing of cutting corners on safety in their rush to launch the MAX to compete with a rival Airbus plane.