Boeing's plans for smooth aircraft deliveries to China have hit a snag in recent weeks. The issue? A review by Chinese aviation authorities of the batteries used in the plane's cockpit voice recorder (CVR). A source familiar with the situation informed Reuters that this review by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has caused delays in deliveries. Boeing itself confirmed this in a statement, acknowledging they're working with their Chinese customers to adjust delivery schedules due to the ongoing review.
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The specific concern lies with the batteries powering the 25-hour CVR system. This upgraded recorder stores significantly more data compared to previous models, and while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US has already certified the system, it seems Chinese regulators are taking a closer look. This development comes after a period of improving relations between Boeing and China. Just a few months ago, China finally lifted an import freeze on Boeing's 737 MAX jets, a profitable aircraft model that was grounded following fatal accidents in 2018 and 2019.
China was the first country to take this action after those incidents. The impact of the current battery review on Boeing's overall delivery targets remains unclear. The company has already delivered 22 airplanes to China so far in 2024, but none in recent weeks. Boeing also has a significant backlog of orders from China, with around 85 aircraft out of their total inventory of 140 designated for Chinese customers.
The duration of the CAAC review is anyone's guess at this point. While it might cause some disruption to Boeing's delivery schedule, it's important to note that European regulators have already approved the 25-hour CVR system. This suggests that a resolution might be found relatively soon.