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 end of a nearly decade-long delay for the smallest model in the bestselling aircraft family. The agency required the plane to incorporate key improvements, including updated flight-control software, a flightcrew alerting system, and a redesigned engine anti-ice system to prevent overheating. This certification validates the rigor of the airplane's design and allows carriers like Southwest Airlines to begin preparing the aircraft for commercial service. Boeing Co. shares rose nearly 7% on Monday, bolstered by the certification and a rare two-notch rating reversal from BNP Paribas. Analyst Matthew Akers upgraded Boeing to 'Outperform' from 'Underperform,' raising the price target to $300. The upgrade suggests that the post-COVID era of uncertainty for the company is over. While Boeing still awaits certification for the 737 Max 10 and the 777X, the approval of the Max 7 provides a significant regulatory hurdle cleared for the manufacturer's recovery narrative.