[ad_1]
Regulators have authorized Boeing’s 737 MAX to fly again, 20 months after the fleet was grounded globally after two fatal accidents.
The decision was announced by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just months after a very critical incident. congress report accused the watchdog himself of contributing to a “terrible culmination” of failures before the accidents.
The FAA said the certificate of airworthiness would allow US commercial deliveries and flights to resume before the end of the year, subject to agreeing to pilot training.
The aircraft’s flight control software was the focal point of the redesign efforts.
In Europe, regulators hope to launch a consultation on the aircraft’s return to the skies later this month, with a final “airworthiness” directive likely to arrive by the end of the year, allowing flights to resume subject to training and maintenance.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “It is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that will validate this certification in EU member states, as well as currently for the UK.
“We continue to work closely with EASA on all matters related to the B737 Max and any EASA decisions on a return to service.”
The decision to withdraw the fleet from service followed the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 disaster outside of Addis Ababa in March last year.
All 157 on board died.
Six months earlier, a Leon air 737 MAX, carrying 189 passengers and crew, crashed in Indonesia.
The grounding was in response to fears that flight control software, known as MCAS and designed to emulate the handling of other Boeing aircraft, was responsible for both accidents.
MCAS, a system the pilots were unaware of, became the focal point of a series of FAA-mandated design changes that resulted in extensive testing both on the ground and in the air with the goal of restoring public confidence.
The watchdog explained Wednesday why the planes were still unable to use US airspace.
Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are being stored at various locations in the US in preparation for upgrades and maintenance checks.
Their statement read: “The FAA must approve the 737 MAX pilot training program revisions for each US airline operating the MAX and will retain its authority to issue Certificates of Airworthiness and Export Certificates of Airworthiness for all new 737 MAX aircraft. manufactured since the FAA issued the grounding order.
“Additionally, airlines that have parked their MAX aircraft must take the necessary maintenance steps to prepare them to fly again.”
Of the US airlines with 737 MAX jets, American Airlines plans the first commercial flight with the jet since it was grounded on December 29, followed by United Airlines in the first quarter of 2021 and Southwest Airlines in the second quarter.
Boeing shares, which have lost more than a third of their value so far this year amid the disruption of the travel industry from the coronavirus crisis, opened about 5% higher in New York after the long-awaited statement from the FAA.
Company CEO David Calhoun said: “We will never forget the lives lost in the two tragic accidents that led to the decision to suspend operations.
“These events and the lessons we have learned as a result have reshaped our company and further focused our attention on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.”
The MAX crisis forced Boeing to halt not only aircraft deliveries to customers, but production as well, and the fallout cost it more than $ 20 billion, in addition to its reputation as a safety-first company.
Airlines are eagerly awaiting the MAX, as its design promises big reductions in fuel bills.
Ryanair is among customers who expect the addition of the MAX to its fleet to boost profitability and is still negotiating compensation with Boeing.
