Boeing 737 Max 10 approval delayed over new software issue

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has delayed the certification of Boeing's 737 Max 10 due to a new software issue. This news has impacted Boeing shares, which dropped by up to 6.8% following Administrator Bryan Bedford's announcement. The FAA is still determining if the software concern represents a safety of flight issue.

Boeing maintains that it will continue to follow FAA guidance as it works through the certification process to meet all requirements. The 737 Max 10 was expected to be certified in the coming weeks, a milestone crucial for generating cash and improving the company's financial standing after a series of challenging years. The approval of the Max 10 is also vital for Boeing's efforts to compete with Airbus in the single-aisle jet market, as orders for the variant exceed 1,500 aircraft.

Bedford stated that the pilots remain in control of the aircraft and are trained for such scenarios. However, the agency is currently assessing the workload component under less common situations and evaluating its implications. The FAA has not yet concluded whether this represents a safety of flight issue, but it will delay the certification of the Max 10 until it is confident that no such issue exists.