The current dispute in St. Louis adds to Boeing's ongoing challenges under the leadership of chief executive Kelly Ortberg, who has pledged to foster a cultural shift within the company to address quality control and safety concerns. Ortberg downplayed the potential impact of the strike during a recent earnings call, asserting that Boeing would manage through the disruption. Nevertheless, the work stoppage poses a risk to the company's financial recovery, particularly as it seeks to stabilise production and deliver on a backlog of over 6,000 aircraft orders. The aerospace giant has also faced pressure from suppliers and airlines, with delays in aircraft deliveries exacerbating tensions across the industry.