MAX returns

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reinstated the Boeing 737 MAX’s operating licence.  It was rescinded on 13 March 2019 after two fatal crashes.

American Airlines has set 29 December for the plane’s reintroduction into service with initially twice daily flights between Miami International and La Guardia New York.  

FAA Administer Steve Dickson said that he would put his own family on the MAX but serious complications have been raised by two distinguished pilots Chelsey Sullenberger, of New York’s East River fame, and Charles Kennedy, pilot, aviation analyst and author (see BTN 19 October). Another problem faced by the manufacturer and airlines is passenger resistance to flying in the aircraft.  “Welcome on board this MAX” is an unlikely sign to be shown on boarding.

At the present time some 387 MAX are grounded and with another 450 in an advanced stage of production and around 4,000 on order although this figure is likely to be reduced as airlines consider their future requirements.  To modify the aircraft and retrain crew on delivered aircraft will take many months.

There are two British registered airlines who operate the MAX, Ryanair UK and TUI.

A CAA spokesperson said: “The UK Civil Aviation Authority notes the decision by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to recertify the design of the Boeing 737 MAX. It is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that will validate this certification across the EU member states, as well as currently for the UK. We continue to work closely with EASA on all issues relating to the B737 Max and any EASA decision on a return to service.”

The big question now is whether Boeing will drop the MAX title and make all 737s just 737s.

www.boeing.com/737-max-updates

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George Sanders, London

BA has 200 on order. Let us hope IAG can cancel another Walsh mistake.