FAA clears smallest Boeing 737 Max to fly after years of delays

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted certification to the Boeing 737 Max 7, the compact model from the widely-used Boeing 737 Max series, following a decade-long delay. The agency announced on Monday that it had granted approval, stating that the decision reflected "years of sustained effort to address complex technical challenges and a comprehensive review of the aircraft's design and safety evaluations."

Major airlines, such as Southwest, had planned to operate the plane prior to the pandemic, but the certification process was prolonged due to heightened regulatory oversight following the fatal crashes of the in-service Boeing 737 Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, alongside other safety and manufacturing problems, and the redesign of an anti-icing system for the engines.

The FAA emphasized that the MAX-7 had to be equipped with significant enhancements, including updates to the flight-control software, alert system for flight crews, and an altered engine anti-ice mechanism, which eliminates the risk of engine overheating. The agency's decision led to a more than 5% increase in Boeing's stock value during Monday's trading.

Although airlines can commence passenger flights shortly after certification, it often takes several months for them to integrate the planes into their schedules. Boeing is currently awaiting similar certification for another delayed model, the 737 Max 10, which is the largest in the family and had been anticipated to enter service in 2020, as well as its largest aircraft, the 777X.

Boeing, a leading U.S. exporter, is striving to expedite production of its 737 Maxes and 787 Dreamliners, crucial for its revival following years of crisis. The manufacturer recently established a new production line in Everett, Washington, for its 737 Max aircraft. The FAA had previously withdrawn its airworthiness certificates for the company's top-selling 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft after the Max 8 crashes, which claimed the lives of 346 individuals. Boeing has yet to respond to the FAA's decision on Monday.