FAA Gives Boeing 737 Max 7 Green Light After Decade-Long Delay

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally cleared the Boeing 737 Max 7 to fly after nearly a decade of delays. This smallest model in the best-selling family of aircraft was initially expected to be certified before the pandemic, but increased regulatory scrutiny following the fatal crashes of the Max 8 in 2018 and 2019 delayed certification.

The redesign of an engine anti-icing system also contributed to the delay, which has been nearly a decade long. Carriers including Southwest Airlines had anticipated flying the plane, but the prolonged review process has kept it grounded.