Boeing's 737 MAX 7 Finally Receives FAA Certification
After years of delays and setbacks, Boeing's 737 MAX 7 has finally received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The amended type certificate clears the plane for commercial service, a significant milestone for the company. In March 2018, Boeing said the jet was on schedule for certification and delivery in 2019, but multiple crises pushed that target back.
The FAA required updates to the jet's flight-control software and its crew alerting system, as well as a redesigned engine anti-ice system before approving the plane. The agency also stated that its safety inspectors will stay on site at Boeing's factories to continue monitoring manufacturing. With this certification, Boeing can now deliver the 30 completed MAX 7s waiting in storage.
The certification is a significant step forward for Boeing, which has been working to recover from multiple setbacks and scandals. The company delivered 171 commercial airplanes in the second quarter, up 14% from a year earlier, and its revenue rose 8% year over year to $24.6 billion. However, investors should not expect the certificate to transform this year's results, as Boeing still lost money in the second quarter.