Authorities in Europe and the United States are advancing toward granting operational approval for two new variants of the Boeing 737 MAX, as indicated by statements from senior officials on Wednesday.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is in the final stages of its certification process for the smaller MAX 7 and the larger MAX 10 models, according to the agency's deputy administrator.
The executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency stated that approving the MAX 10 is a high priority for the regulator.
He noted at a forum that very good progress is being made on the final tasks, suggesting completion in the near term would be beneficial to move forward.
He told reporters that few major obstacles remain, characterizing the current phase as the final, document-intensive part of the process, with only weeks left on the current schedule.
The FAA official, speaking at an event, told reporters the remaining certification work is largely about finalizing details, ensuring alignment between the two regulatory bodies that the aircraft is ready to fly.
He expressed confidence that EASA would recognize the certifications for both MAX models concurrently with or shortly after the FAA, stating the process is on track.
Last month, the head of the FAA indicated he anticipated certification for the MAX 7 this summer, with the MAX 10 expected to be approved before year's end.
The MAX 7 is a shortened version of the already operational MAX 8 and MAX 9 models, which have accumulated tens of thousands of flight hours. Certification for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 had previously been delayed due to an engine anti-icing issue.
Fatal crashes of the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019, linked to software flaws and regulatory oversights, had previously strained the relationship between EASA and the FAA. This led to more rigorous scrutiny of Boeing's designs by the European agency, though both officials noted the relationship has now significantly improved.
The FAA official added that the two agencies are developing a data-sharing agreement to enhance future certification and safety oversight collaboration.
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