China Resumes Boeing 737 Max Deliveries, Bolstering Confidence in Aircraft Manufacturer

In a significant development for Boeing, the company has delivered its first 737 Max aircraft to a Chinese airline in nearly five years, as indicated by recent flight data. This move marks a pivotal moment of support for Boeing, a company that has faced challenges in maintaining its safety and quality reputation, especially following a severe accident involving a new 737-9 in January.

The delivery to China Southern Airlines, as tracked by Flightradar 24, originated from Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, and headed to China via Honolulu. Notably, the flight operated under China Southern Airlines’ flight number CZ5073, suggesting that the airline has taken ownership of the aircraft.

Boeing (BA) has not issued a statement regarding this delivery.

Flight data reveals that the delivered plane, a 737-8, was manufactured in September 2019. It had been stationed at Boeing’s Seattle factory, awaiting delivery, as reported by Flightradar 24 and Aviation Flights.

The 737 Max faced a global grounding by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in March 2019, following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which claimed 346 lives. Investigations revealed that a malfunctioning safety feature was a significant factor in these accidents. CNN previously reported on these findings.

In response to the crashes, Chinese aviation authorities directed local airlines to ground all 737-8 aircraft in March 2019, emphasizing the need for stringent safety risk management. This ban was lifted in 2021 after FAA clearance, but new deliveries to China were stalled until now.

December reports from the trade publication Air Current, cited by Reuters, indicated that Boeing had secured vital approval from China’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This clearance has enabled Boeing to prepare Max aircraft for delivery to the Chinese market.

This latest delivery signifies a renewed confidence in Boeing by one of its key markets, potentially heralding a resurgence in the company’s global standing.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnn.com