FAA Set to Approve Boeing 737 MAX 10 as Soon as Next Week, Sources Say

3-line summary

• Reuters reported, citing three anonymous sources, that the FAA could approve the Boeing 737 MAX 10 as soon as next week. An FAA Type Certification Board completed a key safety review Friday, a final step before approval; the FAA said in a statement, 'Safety dictates the certification timeline.'
• Context on delays: certification standards tightened after MAX 8 crashes in 2018-2019, and oversight of Boeing's production and quality systems increased after an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 door-panel incident in January 2024. The FAA approved the smaller MAX 7 in August after more than eight years of review; a 2023 issue with the MAX's engine anti-ice system further delayed both MAX 7 and MAX 10 certification. In late September, Boeing disclosed a flaw in updated navigation software, but the FAA determined on October 2 that it was not a safety issue and did not require fixes as a certification condition.
• Business significance: airline orders for the MAX 10 total about 1,500 aircraft, roughly 30% of Boeing's 737 order backlog, and Boeing views it as a key cash generator for its financial recovery; delays allowed European rival Airbus's A321neo to gain share in the large single-aisle segment. Major customers include United, Alaska, Ryanair, Delta, and American Airlines. Separately, the article noted Boeing's 777-9 certification is now expected in 2027, about six years behind its original schedule. Boeing's stock reaction to the report was not described in the article.

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