Major airlines want to hear how Boeing plans to fix problems in the manufacturing of its planes

The heads of leading U.S. airlines want to meet with Boeing and hear the plane maker’s strategy for resolving quality control problems that have received attention since a panel exploded from an Alaska Airlines jetliner in January, people familiar with the situation said Thursday.

The meeting is likely to take place next week, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private discussions between Boeing and the airlines.

The request from airline leaders was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said Boeing CEO David Calhoun is not expected to meet with airline officials, and that Boeing has offered to send its chairman, former Continental Airlines CEO Lawrence Kellner, and other board members.

Boeing, United Airlines and American Airlines declined to comment. A Southwest spokesperson declined to comment on specific meetings but said, “We have ongoing, frequent communication with Boeing, which is not new and will continue.”

Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to questions.

Airline CEOs have been outspoken in their frustration with Boeing’s production problems, which have delayed deliveries of planes that airlines were counting on.

Southwest, which has an all-Boeing fleet, said last week that the company expected 46 new planes this year instead of 79, which will force Southwest to trim its planned flight schedule.