Boeing doesn’t anticipate FAA approval for MAX 10 before summer 2023

Boeing does not expect to win Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) approval for the 737 MAX 10 aircraft, the largest variant of the MAX family, before summer 2023, the US aviation regulator said in a letter seen by Reuters.

Neither the Boeing 737 MAX 10, nor the smaller 737 MAX 7, looks likely to receive FAA certification by the current deadline which expires on December 31, 2022.

“With regard to the 737-10, Boeing’s current project plan timeline has the 737-10 receiving an amended type certificate no sooner than summer 2023,” two sources quoted acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen as saying in a letter to Senator Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, Reuters reported on October 4, 2022.

However, the US regulator did not provide the exact amended certification date.

The FAA is also concerned “about realistic timeframes for receiving the remaining documents” required to certify the 737 MAX 7. Boeing must receive certification for the MAX 7 first because approval of the MAX 10 depends on some MAX 7 documentation.