As of April 10, eleven Chinese airlines had begun flying the 737 MAX, according to a statement from Boeing on Tuesday (Apr. 11). This is encouraging news for the US aircraft manufacturer's efforts to reestablish its brand in the second-largest aviation market in the world. The company also stated in a social media post on its official WeChat account that 43 737 MAXs have returned to commercial service based on these airlines, representing roughly 45% of the Chinese 737 MAX fleet.
The most popular Boeing variant was placed on the ground after two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in March 2019. However, following changes to the aircraft and pilot training, the model was put back into service beginning in late 2020. As trade tensions between China and the United States continue, China is the last significant market to begin MAX flights. Domestic travel demand recovered when China abandoned zero-COVID restrictions.
Foreign airlines began flying the MAX to China in October 2022. In January, China Southern Airlines flew from Guangzhou to Zhengzhou using a MAX plane, marking the plane's first passenger flight in China in nearly four years. Boeing did not name who the eleven airlines were but carriers including Hainan Airlines Holding, Fuzhou Airlines, Lucky Air, and Air China have flown the jets in the months since. The US planemaker also said it has upgraded a flight training device for the 737 MAX jet in Shanghai to help with pilot training.
Sherry Carbary, president of Boeing China, said that the decision "reaffirms our commitment to our civil aircraft customers in China." The equipment upgrade enables us to better assist our Chinese 737 MAX customers as they increase the aircraft's operations within China.