It only took about SIX YEARS. The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday signed off on the Boeing 737 Max 10, CNBC reported. It’s the largest jet in the Max family and the last one to win government approval.
The Max 10 was supposed to start flying in 2020. Then came extra scrutiny after the two Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, other safety problems, and required engineering changes, including to an anti-icing system for the engines. The green light also comes weeks after federal officials reviewed a navigation system glitch on the plane and decided it was not a safety-of-flight issue.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford: “The FAA’s decision follows a thorough review of the aircraft’s design and safety requirements. We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest safety standards.”
This is a BIG deal for Boeing’s wallet. CEO Kelly Ortberg said in September that Max 10 orders make up about 30% of the company’s backlog, and customers include Alaska, American, United and Delta. Airlines pay most of a jet’s price on delivery, which is why Boeing has been racing to ramp up production. It opened a fourth 737 Max line in Everett, Washington, in July.
How long was the wait? United CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC in August that the lie-flat seats the airline bought for the plane no longer make sense and are sitting in a warehouse. Don’t book your Max 10 seat yet, either: airlines can start flying certified planes soon, but working them into schedules can take months. The smaller Max 7 was approved in early August.
Featured image: editorial illustration by Bugle Blast.
Sources: CNBC
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