Boeing announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given them the green light to start certification flight testing for its 737 MAX 10, the largest model of its top-selling jet. This move is aimed at capturing the peak of the narrowbody market. Boeing's shares saw a 1.1% increase in midday trading following the news.
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The FAA confirmed that it has granted type inspection authorization for the 737 MAX 10, a step that usually signals the beginning of the certification process after the FAA has reviewed technical data. This significant milestone allows FAA pilots to engage in flight testing necessary for certifying the plane for regular operations, as stated by three Boeing executives in a letter to employees.
The 737 MAX 10 is Boeing's response to the A321neo produced by its European competitor, Airbus. The A321neo has been leading the single-aisle market, outperforming Boeing's MAX 9. Boeing confirmed in October that its timeline for the MAX 10, which includes certification and delivery of the first aircraft in 2024, remains unchanged.
The FAA, in a statement confirming the type of inspection authorization, emphasized that safety will determine the certification timeline for the MAX 10. The MAX 10 has already completed more than 400 flights and nearly 1,000 flight hours during Boeing's test program. Meanwhile, the MAX 7, the smallest member of the 737 MAX family, is still awaiting FAA certification, expected by the end of 2023. The first delivery has been postponed from this year to 2024, as announced by the company in July.
