Boeing has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for the 737 Max 7, ending nearly a decade of regulatory delays for the smallest member of the manufacturer's bestselling narrow-body aircraft family.
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Boeing has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for the 737 Max 7, ending nearly a decade of regulatory delays for the smallest member of the manufacturer's bestselling narrow-body aircraft family.
The approval, announced by the FAA on Monday, follows years of additional safety scrutiny after the fatal 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, which reshaped certification requirements for the entire Max programme.
According to the FAA, the certification reflects years of technical work, design modifications and detailed safety assessments before the aircraft was cleared for commercial service.
Several airlines, including Southwest Airlines, had originally expected to introduce the aircraft before the pandemic. However, heightened regulatory oversight, manufacturing challenges and required design modifications delayed certification.
In a statement, the FAA said the approval "reflects years of sustained work to resolve complex technical issues and complete a thorough review of the airplane's design and supporting safety analyses."
Beyond redesigning the aircraft's engine anti-ice system, the regulator also required updates to:
The certification enables airlines to begin preparing the aircraft for passenger operations, although entry into commercial service will depend on each carrier's operational plans.
According to CNBC, airlines can begin operating newly certified aircraft once they complete the necessary preparations, although integration into scheduled services often takes several months.
For Southwest Airlines, which holds most of the already-built Max 7 aircraft, additional cabin work remains necessary before the jets enter service.
The airline is expected to install its new extra legroom seats before introducing the aircraft into its network. CNBC reported Southwest is unlikely to begin operating the Max 7 until next year.
The approval is expected to strengthen Boeing's delivery pipeline by allowing the manufacturer to hand over aircraft that have already been built.
Key developments include:
According to Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu, the approval could help Boeing generate much-needed cash from aircraft deliveries.
Following the announcement, Boeing shares rose 8% on Monday.
While the Max 7 has now received FAA approval, Boeing continues to await certification of the 737 Max 10, the largest aircraft in the Max family.
The manufacturer is also seeking certification for the 777X, its largest commercial aircraft programme.
Both aircraft have experienced lengthy regulatory delays as the FAA maintains enhanced oversight following the Max programme's safety crisis.
Boeing has been increasing production of its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft as part of its broader recovery strategy.
The company recently opened a fourth 737 Max production line in Everett, Washington, during July, supporting plans to increase aircraft output.
The manufacturer has also worked to rebuild its relationship with the FAA. In mid-July, the regulator said it could once again issue airworthiness certificates for Boeing's 737 Max aircraft and 787 Dreamliners. The FAA had removed that authority following the two fatal Max 8 accidents, which claimed 346 lives.
In a statement, Stephanie Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the certification validates the aircraft's design and recognises the work of the 737 Max development team.
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