By David Shepardson and Dan Catchpole
WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) – The Federal Aviation Administration is set to approve the long-delayed Boeing 737 MAX 10 as soon as next week, after completing a key safety review on Friday, three people familiar with the matter said.
The review by the Type Certification Board — made up of FAA management team members — is a final step before the agency decides on certification. The MAX 10 is a larger variant of Boeing’s best-selling 737 MAX and its expected approval marks a key milestone for the US planemaker.
Boeing has faced a more stringent certification process since two fatal MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as scrutiny of the company’s production and quality systems after a January 2024 mid-air cabin panel blowout on a nearly new Alaska Airlines MAX 9.
Asked for comment, the FAA said, “Safety dictates the certification timeline.” Boeing referred questions to the FAA.
The FAA in August gave long-awaited approval to the smaller 737 MAX 7 after reviewing the plane for more than eight years. Boeing at one point planned to start delivering the MAX 10 in 2020.
A problem with the anti-ice system on 737 MAX engines that arose in 2023 further delayed certification of the MAX 7 and 10.
The delays have helped European rival Airbus’ A321neo secure a greater share of the large single-aisle market. Boeing has said the MAX 10 will be a major cash-flow driver in its ongoing financial recovery following years of crises and controversies.
Airlines have ordered nearly 1,500 MAX 10s, and the model accounts for about 30% of Boeing’s outstanding 737 backlog. The planemaker has already built a handful of MAX 10s awaiting delivery.
The bigger plane that can carry more passengers is crucial to several airlines’ growth plans. Major customers for the MAX 10 include United Airlines, Alaska, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.
A glitch with the latest update of the 737 MAX’s navigation software threatened to further delay certification when Boeing disclosed it in late September. However, the FAA determined on October 2 that it did not pose a safety concern and did not require Boeing to fix the problem as a condition of certifying the plane.
Boeing is still working on certifying the 777-9, its largest jetliner in production, which is already six years behind schedule. The company has said it expects to complete certification and begin deliveries in 2027.
(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
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