Boeing Co. is intensifying its efforts to rectify a crucial engineering issue that is hindering the certification process for its 737 Max 7 jetliner. The company aims to implement a redesign for the aircraft's engine inlet de-icing feature within the next nine months. This move comes after a US lawmaker urged the aerospace giant not to pursue a safety exemption for the aircraft, prompting Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, to allocate additional resources to accelerate the fix.
During a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter earnings, Calhoun expressed the company's commitment to doing whatever necessary to expedite the approval and ensure the long-overdue model can finally take flight. However, he refrained from providing a specific timeline, stating that the approval process would be determined by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This announcement sheds light on a significant concern for potential customers of Boeing's Max 7 and Max 10 planes, which have yet to be introduced. There are growing worries that these variants could face further delays due to the heightened scrutiny surrounding Boeing's manufacturing practices, triggered by a recent near-disaster involving a 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines.
Boeing initially projected that the Max 7 could attain certification by early 2024, followed by the Max 10 in late 2024 or early 2025. The timely delivery of these aircraft is a crucial component of Boeing's plan to generate $10 billion in free cash flow by 2025 or 2026.
Customers have already begun to brace themselves for potential delays. Southwest Airlines, boasting the largest order book for the Max 7 with approximately 300 planes, recently announced that it no longer expects to receive the variant this year. Furthermore, United Airlines has removed the Max 10 from its internal plans due to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding its timeline.
The engineering adjustment is necessary to address a flaw with the aircraft's engine de-icing system. Earlier this week, Boeing withdrew its request for a safety exemption for the system, a decision expected to further prolong the certification process. Calhoun revealed that the withdrawal was prompted by a meeting with Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and former US Army helicopter pilot, who had criticized Boeing's pursuit of an exemption. Duckworth questioned the need for an exemption when a permanent fix was mere months away. After considering her arguments and consulting a key customer, Calhoun concluded that Duckworth's position was sound and principled, leading him to withdraw the exemption request.
Boeing's intensified commitment to resolving the de-icing issue and the withdrawal of the safety exemption request indicate a determination to ensure the safe and prompt return of the 737 Max 7 to commercial service. By actively engaging with regulators and incorporating input from key stakeholders, Boeing seeks to regain the trust of the aviation industry and passengers alike.