The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the design for the Boeing 737 series MAX 8200 variant, which also includes all of the design improvements recommended for the 737 MAX following a 20-month review after the two fatal air crashes. The approval from the FAA moves Boeing one step closer to delivery of the jet to Ryanair as approval is still awaited from the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA).
Ryanair placed its first order for the 197-seat 737 MAX 8200 in 2014. In December 2020 the Irish low-cost carrier placed an additional order for a further 75 of the MAX 8200 variant, which has a greater capacity than the MAX 8. Boeing said on Wednesday that it would “continue to work with global regulators to safely return the 737-8 and -9 to service. Our teams are also focused on ensuring future members of the 737 family meet all regulatory requirements.”
Ryanair Group Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said last week that the airline expected to receive eight of the MAX aircraft in April, and a further eight in May.
