Major Boeing 737 MAX News

Boeing could finally be nearing a breakthrough in certifying its remaining 737 MAX family jets, according to recent comments.

In an exclusive interview with Aviation Week, newly appointed CEO Kelly Ortberg placed focus on the ongoing certification of the 737-7 and 737-10 models, part of the broader MAX program that remains inactive with customers.

For several years now, these variants have been in focus due to the considerable delays they have placed on customers and Boeing’s inability to overcome challenges with the certification process, driven by the firm grip the Federal Aviation Administration has and various compliance concerns.

Now, Ortberg says that the certification of these two planes is vital for the future and remains hopeful that this will occur before the end of the 2025 calendar year.

A timeline for the end of the year represents the first firm outline of the planned certification period that Boeing is targeting for some time. The lack of firm dates is largely spurred on by the frustrations of previous timeframes not being met.

737 MAX Certification Fallout

If Boeing can adhere to its proposed timeline of certification by the end of 2025 for its two remaining variants, this would be a significant milestone for airlines awaiting the jet.

Time and again, Boeing has missed the deadlines set to airline customers for certifying the remaining 737 MAX variants, leading to considerable frustration.

Some airlines, such as United Airlines, have been forced to delay the acquisition of these MAX aircraft and therefore postpone their growth targets to cope with the lack of available aircraft.

As a result, tensions have boiled over, forcing United Airlines to look elsewhere, notably to Boeing’s rival in the A320neo family, to provide aircraft that are approved and can arrive at the airline’s business sooner.

Other options have included adjusting the mix of 737 MAX variants involved in the order; however, this is ultimately viewed as an unfortunate development.

The other variants are good planes on paper. However, specific jets, such as the 737-10, are ordered for a purpose, and if they cannot be delivered, it can disrupt fleet planning that was established years prior.

While United Airlines has been a centrepiece for commentary on the continued delay of certification for the remaining 737 MAX variants, other airlines are feeling the pressure, such as Ryanair, arguably the 737’s most important customer.

If Boeing could certify its remaining 737-7 and 737-10 by year’s end, this would represent a long-awaited step in the right direction for the planemaker in its attempts to progress and restore trust while also eventually increasing production.