Alaska Airlines cancels Boeing 737 MAX 9 flights through Saturday

Alaska Airlines said Wednesday it will cancel all flights on Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets through Saturday as it conducts inspections after a cabin panel blowout on Friday.

The airline's 65 MAX-9s have been grounded since Saturday forcing the cancelling about 20% of its daily flights. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told CNBC separately Wednesday he is in talks with U.S. officials to ensure there is no repeat of any cabin panel blowout on any 737 MAX 9 after an incident Friday.