Boeing has announced that all Boeing 737 MAX planes operated by Chinese carriers are back in service as of the end of 2023. This marks a significant milestone for the U.S. aircraft manufacturer, nearly a year after the MAX model was globally grounded in 2019 following fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. While the MAX had returned to service around the world starting in late 2020, Chinese airlines had only resumed flying the aircraft in January 2023.
Boeing China CEO Liu Qing took to Chinese social media to share the news, stating that "All China civil aviation 737 MAXs have resumed operations." This entails the return of nearly 100 planes to service in China. The culmination of the MAX's reintroduction in China coincides with Boeing's preparatory activities and flight tests on several 737 MAX jets designated for Chinese customers. This has sparked speculation that the aircraft manufacturer could soon begin delivering these planes to China, a process that has remained suspended since 2019.
Resuming MAX deliveries to China would not only represent a significant breakthrough for Boeing's relationship with the country but also provide a financial boost for the company. It would allow Boeing to collect payment for dozens of Chinese MAX planes currently in its inventory, helping to mitigate the financial impact of the MAX crisis and strained U.S.-China political relations. Boeing recently made its first direct delivery of a 787 Dreamliner to China since 2019, indicating a potential thawing of the freeze on MAX deliveries.
However, Boeing's plans face a minor setback as the company has instructed airlines to conduct checks on all MAX planes for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system. This precautionary measure follows the discovery of loose or missing hardware on two planes. Ryanair, which operates the 737-8200 variant of the MAX, has confirmed that it has completed inspections on all its MAX aircraft and found no issues.
Southwest Airlines, an all-737 fleet operator, is also conducting inspections during routine overnight maintenance, with no operational disruptions reported. Similarly, FlyDubai, another carrier exclusively operating 737s, is currently in the process of inspecting its fleet but does not anticipate any impact on its scheduled operations. Any findings from the inspections will be reported through the airlines' respective safety management systems.
The return of the MAX in China and the potential restart of deliveries to the country signify positive developments for Boeing amidst challenges posed by the MAX crisis and strained U.S.-China trade relations. It represents an opportunity for the aircraft manufacturer to strengthen its ties with one of the world's largest aviation markets.