In a memo to employees, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated that he expects the company’s 737-7 and 737-10, the smallest and largest variants of the 737 MAX family, to be certified next year. This is the latest development in the long and winding road for the certification of the 737 MAX family.
Boeing 737-7 and 737-10 Inch Closer to Certification
The memo to employees, which was shared by Reuters reporter David Shepardson, came hours before the planemaker released its second quarter earnings report.
The delays for the 737-7 and 737-10 are related to the redesign of the engine anti-ice system though, ultimately, the delays can be traced back to two high profile crashes involving 737-8 aircraft operating for Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines.
A total of 346 people died in these crashes in which the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) was primarily to blame. This caused the MAX series to be grounded across the globe before ultimately being recertified in November 2020. With the recertification of the 737-8 and 737-9 completed, Boeing was able to return its focus to the 737-7 and 737-10.
The planemaker requested some exemptions throughout the certification process related to the engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) which was required in all aircraft type certified as of December 31, 2022. These requirements were put in place as part of the U.S. Aircraft Safety and Certification Reform Act of 2020, a law that was passed as a result of the two fatal MAX crashes.
Boeing also requested exemptions related to the engine anti-ice system, which is the primary issue delaying certification at this time, but it removed the request after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 had a door plug blow out during flight.
While delays in the certification process have drawn on for years, it appears that there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.
Multiple Carriers Are Awaiting 737-7 and 737-10 Orders
Multiple carriers in the United States and around the world have these two MAX variants on order. The certification of the 737-7 will be welcome news to Dallas based Southwest Airlines. The company currently has over 300 of the variant on order which is slated to replace its fleet of Boeing 737-700 jets.
United Airlines, which is expected to be the launch customer of the 737-10, has more than 150 of the type on order though it could choose to convert those orders to the MAX 8 or 9 variants. Delta Air Lines, which has historically been moving towards an all Airbus fleet, has 100 737-10 aircraft on order.
Only time will tell whether the 737-7 and 737-10 are actually certified in 2026 or if it is just wishful thinking. If everything does go according to plan, we could finally see the two types enter service years behind schedule. Do you think we’ll see these two aircraft in service next year?
Summary
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated in a memo to employees today that he expects the 737-7 and 737-10 aircraft types to be certified at some point next year. This certification is a long time coming as both planes are years behind schedule due to a long list of delays.
