Boeing to move global headquarters to Arlington from Chicago

Boeing to move headquarters to Arlington

One of the world’s leaders in the airline industry moving its global headquarters from Chicago to Virginia.

ARLINGTON, Va. (FOX 5 DC) - Boeing has announced that its Arlington campus will serve as the company’s global headquarters.

Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather

The hub will focus on developing innovations in the areas of cyber security, autonomous operations, quantum sciences and software and systems engineering.

"The future of Boeing is digital," said Greg Hyslop, Boeing’s chief engineer and EVP of Engineering, Test & Technology. "Focusing our R&D and talent development in areas that support digital innovation will fuel the introduction of cutting-edge capabilities. This new hub in Northern Virginia will follow the successful implementation of this technology strategy in other regions."

In addition to designating Northern Virginia as its new headquarters, Boeing plans to develop a research & technology hub in the area to harness and attract engineering and technical capabilities.

"We are excited to build on our foundation here in Northern Virginia. The region makes strategic sense for our global headquarters given its proximity to our customers and stakeholders, and its access to world-class engineering and technical talent," said Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun.

As the nation’s largest exporter, Boeing employs more than 140,000 people and is hiring as the commercial market recovers and the company invests in production, innovation, and product development.

Boeing will maintain a significant presence at its Chicago location and the surrounding region.

"We greatly appreciate our continuing relationships in Chicago and throughout Illinois. We look forward to maintaining a strong presence in the city and the state," Calhoun said. "We also want to especially thank Governor Youngkin for his partnership, and Senator Warner for his support as we worked through the process."

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 5 DC ON YOUTUBE

FOX 5 spoke with Senator Mark Warner, who Boeing said was instrumental along with Governor Glenn Youngkin, in bringing the global headquarters to the commonwealth.

"Corporate headquarters move where they think they can attract talent, where they can offer their employees a great quality of life, and we have that in Virginia, we’ve had it for a long time," Senator Warner said. "We’ve had this record – when you look at Amazon, Nestle, Northup Grumman all of these major enterprises choosing Virginia."

Representative Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, which investigated Boeing and the FAA after the 737 MAX crashes released the following statement:

"The Boeing Company is at its best when it focuses on engineering world-class airplanes with the highest standards of safety. Moving their headquarters to Chicago and away from their roots in the Pacific Northwest was a tragic mistake that took them further from that mission and empowered Wall Street bean-counters over the line engineers who built their once-great reputation. Moving their headquarters again, this time to be closer to the federal regulators and policymakers in Washington, D.C. is another step in the wrong direction. Boeing’s problem isn’t a lack of access to government, but rather its ongoing production problems and the failures of management and the board that led to the fatal crashes of the 737 MAX. Boeing should focus on making safe airplanes— not lobbying federal regulators and Congress."