FAA Clears Smallest 737 Max Model After Decades-Long Delay

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally cleared the Boeing 737 Max 7 for flight after nearly a decade of delays. The certification reflects years of work to resolve complex technical issues and complete a thorough review of the airplane's design and supporting safety analyses.

Carriers such as Southwest Airlines had expected to fly the plane before the pandemic, but increased regulatory scrutiny following the fatal crashes of the Max 8 in 2018 and 2019, other safety and manufacturing crises, and the redesign of an engine anti-icing system delayed certification.

The FAA said it required the MAX-7 to incorporate key improvements, including updates to the flight-control software, flightcrew alerting system, and a redesigned engine anti-ice system. These changes prevent the engine from overheating.

Boeing has about 40 of the 737-7s and 737 Max 10s built and in inventory already, and the FAA approval could help the manufacturer bring in much-needed cash. Boeing stock rose more than 5% in afternoon trading on Monday.