The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be looking to approve Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 as soon as this week after completing a key safety review, potentially bringing an end to years of delays for the planemaker’s largest 737 MAX variant.
The FAA’s Type Certification Board, comprising agency management officials, completed its review on Friday, marking a final step before a certification decision, reported Reuters.
The approval would mark a significant milestone for Boeing as it aims to enhance its financial recovery and improve its competitiveness against European rival Airbus.
The MAX 10 programme has faced prolonged delays following tighter regulatory scrutiny of Boeing after two fatal 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019.
The American aviation giant also came under renewed pressure over its manufacturing and quality controls after a cabin panel blew out during an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight in January 2024.
In August of this year, things started moving in a positive direction for Boeing, with the FAA approving the smaller 737 MAX 7 after reviewing the aircraft for more than eight years.
Boeing had initially expected to begin the MAX 10 delivery in 2020, but certification was held up partly by problems involving the engines’ anti-ice system that emerged in 2023.
A software issue threatened further delays in September when Boeing disclosed a glitch involving the latest update to the 737 MAX navigation system.
However, the FAA determined a week back that the issue did not present a safety concern and would not require corrective action as a condition of certification.
The MAX 10 has emerged as central to Boeing’s efforts to regain ground in the large single-aisle aircraft market, where Airbus’ A321neo has gained an advantage during the certification delays.
Airlines have ordered nearly 1,500 MAX 10 aircraft, representing about 30% of Boeing’s outstanding 737 backlog.
The company has already built several aircraft awaiting regulatory clearance.
The larger jet, designed to carry more passengers than other 737 MAX variants, is important to the expansion plans of major customers, including United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines.
Boeing has identified the MAX 10 as a significant future source of cash flow as it works to recover from years of operational setbacks and reputational damage.