The Federal Aviation Administration certifies the Boeing 737 Max 7 after nearly a decade of delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration certified the Boeing 737 Max 7 on Monday, marking the official approval of the smallest model in the bestselling aircraft family. This certification follows nearly a decade of delay caused by rigorous regulatory scrutiny and complex technical issues, including the redesign of an engine anti-icing system and updates to the flight-control software. Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated that the certification validates the rigor of the airplane's design and recognizes the development team's resilience. The approval allows carriers like Southwest Airlines to begin modernizing their fleets with more fuel-efficient aircraft. Boeing is currently preparing for the delivery of the first aircraft to Southwest Airlines. While the manufacturer is still awaiting certification for the 737 Max 10 and the 777X, the approval of the Max 7 helps the manufacturer bring in much-needed cash, as airlines pay the bulk of the price upon delivery. Boeing stock rose more than 6% in afternoon trading on Monday.