Flugzeugbauer: US-Luftfahrtbehörde erteilt Boeing 737 MAX 10 die Zulassung

The US aviation authority, the FAA, has granted final approval to the Boeing 737 MAX 10 after delays, paving the way for its delivery of the largest version of the best-selling aircraft, according to Stephanie Pope, the chief of Boeing's commercial aviation division. The machine offers greater capacity, range, and cost efficiency per seat in its class, she explained.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to recognize the certification during a visit to Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, the source said. The company opened a new production line there in July to increase the output of the 737 series. The MAX 10 is a crucial element for Boeing's financial recovery after years of crises.

Airlines such as United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines have placed over 1,550 orders for this type of aircraft. According to the consulting firm IBA, the model accounts for 31 percent of the 737 order backlog. The MAX 10 can accommodate up to 230 passengers, while the MAX 9 can carry up to 195 and the MAX 7 up to 160.

The repeated delays - originally, the first deliveries were planned for 2020 - allowed European rival Airbus to secure a larger share of the market for large standard fuselage aircraft with its A321neo model. The FAA required significant improvements to the MAX 10, including updates to the flight control system with an optimized pitch sensor.

A problem with the aircraft's anti-icing system for its engines delayed certification until late 2023. A software error discovered on September 1 did not present a safety risk, according to the FAA. The smaller 737 MAX 7 was approved by the agency in August after more than eight years of testing. Boeing must undergo a stricter certification process following two fatal crashes involving MAX-8 aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people.

Additionally, the company's production and quality systems have come under increased scrutiny by oversight authorities after a nearly new MAX 9's cabin part detached during a flight in January 2024.