FAA Clears Boeing's 737 Max 7 for Commercial Service After Years of Delays
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally cleared Boeing's new 737 Max 7 jetliner for commercial service after years of delays.
The certification represents a milestone in Boeing's efforts to overcome safety, quality, and production challenges. The FAA said it required Boeing to make several safety changes before approving the aircraft, including updating flight-control software and improving cockpit alerts for pilots.
The Max 7 is part of Boeing's 737 family of commercial jets, which has been at the center of its troubles. The plane was first unveiled nearly a decade ago but has faced numerous delays due to technical issues and regulatory scrutiny following two crashes involving the larger Max 8 in 2018 and 2019.
The FAA said it cleared the new plane after years of additional testing, design changes, and an extensive review of its design and safety systems. Safety inspectors will remain at Boeing production facilities to monitor manufacturing.