FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 7 Amid Ongoing Scrutiny

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified Boeing's 737 MAX 7 after almost a decade of review. This certification comes as Boeing faces a more stringent process since two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The plane's certification was years behind schedule, with Boeing initially expecting approval by the end of 2022.

The FAA required Boeing to incorporate key improvements, including updates to flight-control software, flight crew alerting system, and a redesigned engine anti-ice system. These changes were in response to recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following the fatal crashes and a recent mid-air cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.

Boeing's share price rose by about 1.2% after Reuters first reported the news of the MAX 7 certification, and was up 6.7% for the day. The company is preparing to support first deliveries, with Southwest Airlines, the launch customer, looking forward to the plane entering service in the coming months.

FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau stated that he thought approval of the larger MAX 10 would be 'right behind' the MAX 7. Boeing's head of commercial airplanes, Stephanie Pope, noted that the company learned important lessons from this process and is already applying them to the 737-10 program.