Boeing 737 Max 10s May Not Get FAA Approval Until Summer 2023
Boeing does not anticipate getting approval for the 737 Max 10 before next summer, according to a Federal Aviation Administration letter sent on Monday. That’s a big problem for the company as it will affect the company’s timeline for deliveries.
Boeing faces a December deadline to win regulatory approval for the MAX 10 as well as a smaller variant, the MAX 7. Unless Congress grants an extension, Boeing must meet new modern cockpit-alerting requirements that could significantly delay the approval process. The new cockpit alerting requirements are part of certification reform legislation that was passed in 2020 after two 737 Max crashes killed 346 people and led to a 20-month grounding for the best-selling plane.
“With regard to the 737-10, Boeing’s current project plan timeline has the 737-10 receiving an amended type certificate no sooner than summer 2023,” two sources quoted acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen as saying in a letter to Senator Roger Wicker, as reported by Reuters.
Boeing had recently booked major Max 10 orders from Delta Air Lines, Canada’s WestJet Group and other carriers.
Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun previously said he expected FAA approval for the Max 7 to come this year. He also said there was still a “chance” of the FAA approving the Max 10 before the end of 2022.
According to one of the sources, Nolen’s letter on Monday said the FAA was unable to provide an estimate as to when certification work will be completed for the MAX 7 or MAX 10. “We’re committed to diligently and thoroughly reviewing the documentation as it is submitted,” Nolen was quoted as saying. Nolen also wrote that he supports his team “taking the time they need to fully understand” human factor functions, according to the source.
