FAA halts Boeing’s 737 Max production expansion amid quality concerns

On Wednesday, January 24, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) put a stop to Boeing’s planned expansion of its 737 Max aircraft production. However, the regulatory body granted approval for the return of Boeing’s Max 9 to service, nearly three weeks after a door plug incident during an Alaska Airlines flight.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasised that Boeing’s return to normal operations is contingent on resolving the quality control issues uncovered during this process. He stated, “Let me be clear: This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing. We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved.”

Boeing, facing increased demand for its best-selling aircraft post the Covid-19 pandemic, expressed commitment to cooperate fully with the FAA’s directives. The company acknowledged the need to strengthen safety and quality, pledging transparency in their efforts.

As a consequence of the FAA’s decision, Boeing shares experienced a more than 2% decline in premarket trading on Thursday, January 25.

The FAA also granted approval for inspection instructions for the Max 9 aircraft, a crucial step for airlines awaiting clearance to review their fleets and reintroduce these planes into service.

The grounding of 737 Max 9 planes followed a fuselage panel incident during Flight 1282 departing from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5. This grounding led United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, the two U.S. carriers with these planes, to cancel numerous flights.

Alaska Airlines announced plans to resume 737 Max 9 flights on Friday, gradually adding more planes each day as inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy while United Airlines intends to return the planes to service starting Sunday, January 28.