Boeing Says It May Be Forced To Cancel 737 Max Program

In an interview with Aviation Week, Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun stated that the plane maker may be compelled to terminate the 737 Max 10 program due to anticipated regulatory concerns, David Shepardson reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Boeing has until December to obtain approval for the 737 MAX 10, the largest member of its best-selling single-aisle plane family.

Boeing has until December to obtain approval for the 737 MAX 10, the largest member of its best-selling single-aisle plane family. Otherwise, unless Congress waives it, it must meet additional cockpit alerting criteria under a 2020 statute. Calhoun's remarks may increase the pressure on Congress.

"If you go through the things we’ve been through, the debts that we’ve had to accumulate, our ability to respond, or willingness to see things through even a world without the -10 is not that threatening," Calhoun told Aviation Week, adding that he does not expect to cancel the 737 MAX 10 but said "it’s just a risk."

A Boeing spokeswoman confirmed the accuracy of Calhoun's quotes and reiterated the plane maker is "working transparently with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide the information they need, and are committed to meeting their expectations and those of our customers to certify and deliver the 737-10."

Congress enforced the 2022 deadline as part of broader regulatory reforms at the FAA following three fatal 737 MAX crashes between 2018 and 2019. According to Aviation Week, Boeing has received over 640 orders for MAX 10 jets from 17 airlines. United Airlines announced plans to acquire another 150 MAX 10s in June 2021.

The FAA informed Boeing in March that the MAX 10 might not be certified by the end of the year and requested a "mature certification schedule." Boeing declined to comment on its current certification schedule.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic