Further MAX delay to summer confirmed

Official confirmation of a continued delay in the Boeing B737 MAX re-entering service came from the manufacturer last week in a public statement on the behind-the-scenes activity taking place to solve the crisis.

Boeing noted it had previously emphasised it was the FAA and other global regulators that would determine when the aircraft returned to airline schedules but its own best estimate was the “ungrounding” of the MAX would begin “during mid-2020”.

The company said it was making the statement “in order to help our customers and suppliers plan their operations” and “the updated estimate is informed by our experience to date with the certification process”.

It added: “It is subject to our ongoing attempts to address known schedule risks and further developments that may arise in connection with the certification process. It also accounts for the rigorous scrutiny that regulatory authorities are rightly applying.”

Boeing said returning the MAX safely to service was the company’s number-one priority, and it was confident it would happen.

It added: “We acknowledge and regret the continued difficulties that the grounding of the 737 MAX has presented to our customers, our regulators, our suppliers, and the flying public.”

(See also AND FINALLY  in this issue).

www.boeing.com

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