Boeing Partially Regains FAA Certification Authority Post-MAX Crisis
Boeing has regained partial authority to self-certify aircraft deliveries, marking a significant step in rebuilding trust with federal regulators.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced this week that Boeing and the FAA will alternate weekly in conducting final safety inspections and issuing airworthiness certificates for 737 MAX aircraft. This represents the first restoration of Boeing’s certification privileges since they were stripped following the two fatal MAX crashes in 2018-2019.
Boeing’s production remains capped at 38 aircraft per month following January 2024’s Alaska Airlines door plug incident. The company has expressed interest in increasing to 42 monthly deliveries, though FAA approval is pending. Full certification authority that Boeing held pre-MAX remains curtailed, with design changes and novel systems still under direct FAA oversight.
The partial restoration signals improving quality metrics at Boeing facilities, though the company lost similar authority for the 787 Dreamliner in 2022 due to recurring production issues. Industry analysts view this as a confidence gesture that could pave the way for future production increases.
Source: https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/boeing-faa-certification-rights/