Boeing 737 Max 7 Cleared for Market After Years of Delays

After years of delays and intense scrutiny, Boeing has finally received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its smallest 737 Max model, the Max 7.

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The U.S. aviation authority FAA has approved Boeing aircraft of the type 737 Max 7 after years of delay.

The certification process, initially expected by the end of 2022, became significantly protracted following two devastating crashes of 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. These tragedies, coupled with ongoing quality control problems within Boeing's manufacturing systems, led to a much stricter and slower certification pathway.

The FAA's decision is a critical step for the U.S. aircraft manufacturer. Boeing had been eagerly awaiting the green light to bring the Max 7, which can carry between 135 and 160 passengers and has a range of over 7,000 kilometers, to market. The company has amassed over 280 orders for this specific model.

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The decision is of great importance for the US group, as Boeing had been waiting a long time to bring the smallest version of the popular aircraft model to market.

This approval also paves the way for the larger Max 10 variant, according to FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau. Boeing has already built approximately 30 Max 7s and nine Max 10s that are awaiting delivery. The company has faced heightened regulatory oversight since the 2018 and 2019 accidents, with particular attention on its production and quality systems, especially after a cabin panel detached mid-flight from an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in January 2024.

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The certification was years behind schedule.

Following the FAA's announcement, Boeing's stock experienced a significant boost, climbing more than 8%. The improved collaboration between the FAA and Boeing on aircraft certification, as noted by FAA chief Bryan Bedford in July, appears to have facilitated this long-awaited approval.

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The certification process had significantly slowed down after two crashes of 737 Max machines, in which 346 people died, as well as quality problems at Boeing.