The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given final approval for commercial service of the smallest jet in Boeing's 737 Max lineup, the "Max 7." The decision comes nearly 10 years after the airplane maker first unveiled the model.
According to an AP report on the 3rd (local time), the FAA granted final approval for Max 7 flights after completing years of rigorous additional tests, aircraft design changes, and an extensive review of safety systems.
The Max 7 airliner is part of the 737 family, which is Boeing's top-selling commercial aircraft line and also the one that triggered the corporations-shaking worst crisis. In 2018 and 2019, the larger Max 8 variant crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing a total of 346 people. As Boeing worked to fix fatal technical flaws and underwent strict scrutiny by regulators, the Max 7 certification process was postponed indefinitely.
The FAA said it has completely overhauled how it certifies Boeing aircraft. Before signing off on final approval for commercial flights, the FAA required Boeing to implement several essential safety improvements. Specifically, it ordered a new update to flight-control software and a sweeping upgrade to cockpit warning systems for pilots. It also mandated a complete redesign of the anti-icing system to fully prevent in-flight engine overheating.
Regulators made clear they will continue stringent oversight of Boeing even after approving Max 7 commercial service. FAA safety Researchers plan to remain on site at Boeing production facilities going forward, even after certification is complete. They will closely monitor the entire manufacturing process on the ground, strictly inspecting Boeing's internal safety management systems and carefully observing overall corporations safety culture.
After a long 10-year wait, the Max 7, finally set to enter commercial service, is expected to be deployed mainly on short- and medium-haul routes. Several major flag carriers, including Southwest Airlines, have already placed large orders for the model and are awaiting delivery of new jets.
Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing's commercial airplanes institutional sector, said, "Our dedicated team of engineers and test professionals has worked through challenges, a prolonged pandemic, and the transition to new certification processes."