According to a Reuters report, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the body in charge of regulating activity in the country, published on 14 April a report that Boeing considers key to the resumption of 737 MAX deliveries, suspended since 2019.
As of December 2020, and thanks to the safety upgrades implemented, the model progressively re-entered commercial service worldwide after the suspension of operations that had begun in March of the previous year.
However, China was the exception. Geopolitical tension with the United States complicated the situation and all airplanes belonging to Chinese carriers remained grounded until January 2023.
See also: Boeing 737 MAX in China: eleven airlines already resumed operations
Closer to resumption of Boeing 737 MAX deliveries in China
With the Boeing 737 MAX back in service in the country, the completion of outstanding deliveries should be close. The document released mid-month is the second revision of the model’s evaluation report and incorporated updates on technical information and crew training.
The American manufacturer considers it the «final technical requirement» needed to resume deliveries, according to sources quoted by the news agency. However, specialised analysts point out that the geopolitical situation could further delay the process.
Boeing currently maintains an inventory of more than 130 737 MAX aircraft completed and ready for delivery to Chinese operators. At list prices, they are priced at more than 15 billion dollars.
Reuters accessed the full report, which is available online but has not been published by the CAAC. However, the news agency said it had already been distributed to local airlines, making it clear that the body had completed the relevant reviews, and that operators could take delivery of new aircraft if they wished.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun highlighted the document at a corporate meeting last week. He said it was «encouraging progress» and «an important step».
No confirmed date, airlines are optimistic
Both China Eastern and China Southern, two current operators of the 737 MAX, said in March they would resume deliveries of the type this year.
On the other hand, Hainan Airlines said last Thursday that it maintained its plan to take delivery of fourteen aircraft from lessors between 2023 and 2026. This is the first time a Chinese carrier has announced plans to add more aircraft of this type to its fleet beyond the orders placed before the 2019 suspension.
While it is not yet possible to say when deliveries to Chinese operators will be definitively reactivated, the new report is a major step forward.
