Boeing's credit rating at risk because of 737 Max crisis, says Fitch

Max's grounding presents a significant public-relations challenge that will remain a risk for the company, says Fitch.

Boeing Co.'s credit rating is at risk as the grounding of the 737 Max drags into a fifth month, Fitch Ratings said.

Uncertainty around the return to service of Boeing’s best-selling jet and the “growing logistical challenge” of getting parked planes back in the air threaten the company’s credit, Fitch Ratings said in a statement Monday. Fitch affirmed Boeing’s A rating while cutting the outlook to negative, the first credit warning after the grounding, which was prompted by two deadly crashes.

In the longer term, the Max’s grounding presents a significant public-relations challenge that will remain a risk for “Boeing’s reputation and