Boeing Targets 737-7 and 737-10 Certification as Backlog Grows

Boeing expects to complete certification of its 737-7 and 737-10 aircraft this year, as the U.S. aviation industry grapples with aircraft production constraints, workforce shortages, and a growing global delivery backlog.

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford said this week that the regulator is actively working with Boeing to advance certification of the two remaining 737 Max variants, but stressed that responsibility ultimately rests with the manufacturer.

“We can only help get them there, but they have got to do the work — and they are doing the work,” Bedford told Reuters. “I don’t think the FAA is the roadblock on the 7 and the 10 certification.”

The 737-7 (Max 7) and 737-10 (Max 10) are the smallest and largest members of the 737 Max family and have faced repeated certification delays following regulatory reforms introduced after the 2018 and 2019 Max crashes. Boeing executives have said the company is targeting certification for both aircraft in 2025, with more than 1,200 orders already in place for the 737-10 alone.

The certification push comes amid what the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates is a global backlog of more than 17,000 commercial aircraft orders, as airlines race to modernize fleets and meet post-pandemic demand. In 2025, several major carriers — including Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, and Korean Air — announced new Boeing aircraft orders, some valued at tens of billions of dollars.

Despite ongoing scrutiny, the FAA has gradually eased operational restrictions on Boeing. In October, the regulator raised the monthly production cap for the 737 Max to 42 aircraft, up from 38, following intensified oversight introduced after a January 2024 incident in which a door plug blew out mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines-operated 737-9. The aircraft made an emergency landing with no fatalities, but the incident prompted renewed regulatory pressure on Boeing’s manufacturing quality controls.

While production capacity and certification timelines remain critical challenges, Boeing is also confronting a growing labor shortage. In mid-January, the company posted job listings for shift managers on the 737 North Line, highlighting the need to stabilize production staffing after disruptions caused by machinist union strikes in 2024.

The broader aerospace workforce issue extends beyond Boeing. Aircraft mechanics and manufacturing specialists are aging rapidly, with the average mechanic now around 54 years old. Industry leaders and government officials have raised concerns that insufficient recruitment of younger workers could worsen production bottlenecks and delay aircraft deliveries further.

As airlines push for faster fleet renewal and regulators demand stricter compliance, Boeing’s ability to certify the 737-7 and 737-10 on schedule will be a key test of whether the manufacturer can restore momentum — and credibility — in the narrowbody market.

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