Malaysia Airlines' first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft has been delayed due to a supply chain issue with the US aircraft maker. The Malaysia Aviation Group managing director, Captain Izham Ismail, confirmed the delay, stating that it was not a safety concern, but it needed to be addressed to prevent potential problems in the future.
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The aircraft was originally scheduled for delivery on August 28, but a new delivery date has not yet been confirmed. The airline had ordered a total of 25 narrow-body jets in 2016, with the B737 MAX 8 set to be the first new aircraft type that Malaysia Airlines would receive after five years.
Despite the disappointment, Izham said that the group does not anticipate any further delays with the subsequent 24 aircraft, as Boeing is expected to resolve the issue. The problem was identified in fastener holes that did not meet Boeing's specifications in the aft pressure bulkhead on certain B737 aircraft. Boeing has assured that this is not an immediate safety concern, and unaffected aircraft are continuing to be delivered.
The B737 MAX 8 was one of the most popular passenger aircraft until it was grounded by the US Federal Aviation Administration in March 2019, following two fatal accidents. In 2019, former US president Donald Trump announced that both the B737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft were grounded, making them the only aircraft type in history to be grounded by a US president. Several countries, including China, Malaysia, Australia, and Singapore, grounded the aircraft, but China Southern Airlines resumed operating two B737 MAX 8 planes in January 2021 following software upgrades and training changes.