After a four-year hiatus, Boeing is preparing to resume deliveries of the 737 MAX to China, according to Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the matter. The first deliveries are expected in the coming weeks.
Boeing stated, “We will be ready to make deliveries to our customers when the time comes.”
Even though China was the first country to ground Boeing’s 737 MAX after fatal crashes, around 90% of these planes resumed commercial operations in the country in June.
Boeing confirmed in April that eleven Chinese airlines have restarted operations with their 737 MAX planes, according to a report by Reuters. Currently, 43 planes are operating regularly, representing about 45% of the total in the hands of Chinese airlines.
The Interruption of Boeing 737 MAX Operations in China
In March 2019, China suspended all flights of the 737 MAX following the crash of the ET 302 flight of Ethiopian Airlines. It was the second incident involving the model in less than four months.
Starting from December 2020, and after safety updates, the 737 MAX gradually re-entered global commercial services. However, geopolitical tension with the United States extended the suspension in China until January 2023.
In September 2022, Boeing announced that it would begin withdrawing engines from the inventory of Chinese operators to support new production. By mid-month, Boeing’s CEO, David Calhoun, hinted that the company would start marketing the planes again.
Approximately one hundred planes remained grounded, and around 150 deliveries were still pending. Nevertheless, the reintroduction of the 737 MAX to regular service in China alleviated the situation, marking a positive sign for the company and its goal to regain ground in one of the world’s largest aviation markets.
