By Dan Catchpole
SEATTLE, May 22 (Reuters) – Boeing was found not guilty of hiding safety problems with 737 MAX jets sold to LOT Polish Airlines last decade, a jury ruled Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
LOT had accused Boeing of defrauding it by withholding a critical change to the popular single-aisle jet’s flight-control systems. The change was linked to two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that led to the jets being grounded around the world for 20 months.
The airline was seeking $153 million in damages that it said resulted from the grounding.
After a two-week trial, the jury members deliberated for three hours.
“We are gratified by the jury’s verdict in our favor today,” a Boeing spokesperson said.
LOT issued a statement acknowledging the outcome but leaving room for an appeal.
“As the legal process may not yet be concluded, LOT will not comment further on the details of the proceeding at this stage,” the company said.
(Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by William Mallard)
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