In a setback for Secretary of State Antony Blinken, his return journey from the Davos summit was disrupted due to a critical plane issue related to an oxygen leak. The incident occurred shortly after Blinken and his delegation had boarded a modified Boeing 737 jet in Zurich on Wednesday, following a day and a half of meetings at the global summit.

According to the traveling press, the plane experienced the issue while still on the ground, forcing the delegation to deplane. It is reported that a new, smaller aircraft is being sent specifically for Blinken, while other members of the delegation will have to return to Washington via commercial flights.

This incident adds to the ongoing challenges faced by Boeing, which has seen its reputation severely tarnished in recent years. On January 5, an Alaska Airlines jet had a door plug blow out mid-flight, resulting in a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident led to the temporary grounding of all 737 Max 9 jets for inspection. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged a mistake by the company in relation to the incident.

While Blinken's intended plane was an older model modified for military use, the incident is another blow to the airline manufacturer following the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed the lives of 346 people. The crashes resulted in a 20-month grounding of the jet as Boeing worked to address design flaws.

Furthermore, Boeing faced additional quality issues even after the 737 Max was cleared for operation. Just last December, airlines were asked to inspect their 737 Max jets for potential loose bolts in the rudder system, following the discovery of a problem with a key part on two aircraft.

In recent years, Boeing has experienced recurrent quality issues, including a halt in deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner due to concerns, while its 777 jets faced temporary grounding after engine failures, resulting in debris falling over Denver.

The investigation into the cause of the oxygen leak on Blinken's plane is currently underway, further adding to the challenges faced by Boeing and its efforts to rebuild trust in its aircrafts.

As the Secretary of State and his delegation navigate alternative travel arrangements, this incident raises questions about airline safety and the ongoing vigilance required to ensure that adequate measures are in place to prevent future accidents and disruptions.