New Boeing finally gets going, 15 years after debut

Boeing marked a significant milestone on Tuesday by receiving certification for its latest passenger plane, the 737-7 MAX, a product of 15 years since its initial announcement and seven years since the first model's production. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the approval, recognizing the extensive effort to rectify complex technical issues and thoroughly review the aircraft's design and safety analyses.

This issue-solving journey was instrumental in addressing problems shared by the 737-8 MAX, which encountered fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 due to faulty software. The 737-7 MAX, first constructed in 2018, was initially slated for commercial service the following year. However, the plane's grounding post-crashes left Boeing without resources to advance the 737-7 development, which further diminished its appeal due to its limited market and unique configuration.

The 737-7 could accommodate 172 passengers over a range of 3,850 nautical miles, making it the smallest model in the 737 family with the longest range. Its smallest variant also serves as Boeing's closest regional jet counterpart, a sector dominated by Airbus and Embraer. This aircraft, however, presents Boeing with an opportunity to compete in the regional jet market, as seen with its recent deal with US airline Allegiant.

After addressing specific issues related to the 737-7's anti-icing systems, Boeing now stands ready to manufacture and sell the 737-7, possibly at an accelerated pace considering their recent production output. Boeing's recent success includes completing the final certification flight of the 737-10, the largest MAX generation plane.

The FAA will now determine the validity of this work. The company's primary unresolved issue, however, lies in the 777X, the revamped version of its largest widebody plane. Delays and complications have pushed its delivery from 2020 to 2027. Boeing also faces complications with the 777X as it built over 20 test aircraft using unapproved designs, necessitating significant modifications before they can enter service.

This potential problem could deter airlines from purchasing the 777X, leaving Boeing with a surplus of unmarketable aircraft. Despite these challenges, Boeing can take pride in the advancement of its rival Airbus's folding wing technology in the 777X, a design element Boeing also incorporated into the 777X.