Boeing Sees 737 MAX 10 Certification on Horizon as Production Plans Take Shape

Boeing is nearing the end of the certification process for its 737 MAX 10 aircraft, according to CEO Kelly Ortberg. Flight testing has already been completed and only three remaining company deliverables need to be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before certification can begin.

The FAA's workload for certifying the 737 MAX 10 is greater than it was at the equivalent stage of the 737 MAX 7, which received its type certification in August. Ortberg noted that European regulators have also begun their final work on the aircraft and provided Boeing with positive feedback after a recent evaluation.

The MAX 10 accounts for approximately 30% of Boeing's 737 backlog, making it an increasingly important part of the order book. Once certified, Boeing plans to gradually move its production mix toward a similar proportion as deliveries of the variant begin.

Boeing has already assembled MAX 10s ahead of certification and is preparing to deliver them once regulatory approval is obtained. The company expects to work through its stored MAX 7 and MAX 10 aircraft over roughly 18 months, which will help increase production capacity beyond the current target of 47 aircraft per month.