US Transportation Secretary meeting with Boeing, GE CEOs on aircraft certification reform efforts

On October 14, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to meet with CEOs of major aerospace companies, including Boeing and GE, as part of his ongoing efforts to reform the new aircraft certification process, according to officials. Earlier in September, Duffy had expressed his desire to expedite the certification of new airplanes like those manufactured by Boeing, citing concerns about competition from China.

The certification process for a new aircraft can typically span five or more years and entail extensive testing, data collection, and documentation. In June, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed changes to modernize and expedite the certification of new commercial airplanes. While Duffy's meeting with industry executives remains unconfirmed, Boeing and GE have declined to comment on the matter.

Duffy emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that failure to streamline the certification process could lead to the loss of American aerospace innovation and investment. He stated that private capital is unlikely to invest in innovation if the approval process takes a decade. The meeting could potentially benefit manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and Bombardier, whose aircraft certifications have been delayed.

For instance, Boeing's 737 MAX 7 took over eight years to receive certification, while the 777x is more than five years behind schedule.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has been advocating for reforms to the certification process, disclosing that the agency has several projects under way in collaboration with the industry to explore ways to streamline the procedure. The previous FAA head, Mike Whitaker, had previously mentioned the agency's interest in employing advanced technology to expedite the process.

In September, Reuters reported on the FAA's planned changes, which aim to decrease the number of exemptions, special conditions, and equivalent level of safety findings required during the certification process. Duffy also expressed his support for increased competition in the commercial space sector, urging for more entrants and faster innovation.