The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday certified the Boeing 737 Max 7 for commercial service, nearly a decade after the aircraft manufacturer first unveiled the plane. The approval marks a significant step in Boeing’s efforts to address years of safety, quality, and production challenges within its 737 family, which has faced heightened regulatory scrutiny following two fatal crashes involving the larger Max 8 in 2018 and 2019.
The FAA said the certification followed years of additional testing, design changes, and an extensive review of the aircraft’s safety systems. The agency required Boeing to implement several key improvements, including updates to flight-control software, enhanced cockpit alerts for pilots, and a redesigned engine anti-ice system to prevent overheating. Safety inspectors will continue monitoring Boeing’s production facilities, including its Safety Management System and overall safety culture.
The 737 Max 7, the smallest model in Boeing’s best-selling 737 family, is expected to operate primarily on short- and medium-haul routes. Several airlines, including Southwest Airlines, have outstanding orders for the aircraft. Southwest Airlines issued a statement welcoming the certification, noting it would help modernize its fleet with upgraded interiors and more fuel-efficient aircraft.
Boeing has approximately 40 units of the 737-7 and 737 Max 10 already built and in inventory, according to an analyst note. The FAA’s approval could provide a financial boost to the company, which has faced significant cash flow challenges in recent years. Boeing’s stock rose more than 5% in after-hours trading following the announcement.
The FAA emphasized that its oversight of Boeing would continue beyond the Max 7’s approval, reflecting ongoing reforms to its aircraft certification processes. The agency stated that its engineers and test experts worked through technical challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the transition to new certification standards to reach the decision.
The 737 Max 10, the largest model in the family, remains under review by the FAA, as does Boeing’s 777X, another long-delayed aircraft. The certification of the Max 7 comes after years of delays attributed to safety concerns, regulatory changes, and design revisions following the Max 8 crashes, which killed 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia.