The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that after a door panel on an Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 Max 9 jet blew off a flight in January, fallout from the ensuing crisis has inflated costs for those reliant on Boeing. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that airline executives, union leaders, pilots, suppliers, passengers and government officials agree the incident is rippling through the global aviation industry. Boeing's resulting slump in Max deliveries has hit earnings at airlines such as Southwest Airlines and some suppliers who planned to equip new planes. It has inconvenienced and stranded passengers as airlines fly fewer routes, and has led to a slowdown in pilot hiring. Boeing is the largest U.S. exporter and employs nearly 150,000 people domestically. It supports millions more through a supply chain that includes thousands of businesses big and small around the world. Economist Joseph Brusuelas estimates Boeing contributes $1-trillion (U.S.) a year to the U.S. economy and supports more than five million jobs. Boeing claims company efforts to improve quality are paying off with improved factory operations. Under pressure from regulators, Boeing has pledged to prioritize safety over speed.