Boeing Begins 777-9 Certification Flight Trials With U.S. FAA

Boeing has started certification flight testing of its long-delayed 777-9 with US aviation regulators onboard, the US planemaker said in an emailed statement, reported Chandni Shah and Devika Madhusudhanan Nair for Reuters.

The 777-9 is part of the 777X project to upgrade the 777 wide-body jet. The project has been in development since 2013 but has faced multiple hold-ups. I Photo: The Boeing Company Facebook

The company said it conducted its first flight last week after receiving Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). The development is a boost for Boeing, which has been grappling with production and legal issues since a Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX plane.

The news was first reported by Air Current. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, "generally, this kind of thorough process takes many months."

The 777-9 is part of the 777X project to upgrade the 777 wide-body jet. The project has been in development since 2013 but has faced multiple hold-ups, including certification delays.

TIA is typically associated with the start of the certification process, made after the FAA has examined technical data. The milestone allows FAA pilots to participate in flight testing needed to certify the plane for normal operation.