The CEO of Boeing has warned that there is a “risk” that the company may have to stop making the 737 Max 10 jet because of possible regulatory concerns.
At the end of this year, the business must obtain US government certification for the passenger plane.
The effort to secure the go-ahead was “a little bit of an all-or-nothing situation,” according to chief executive Dave Calhoun.
The newest and largest model of the 737 family of aircraft, which has come under scrutiny following two catastrophic disasters, is the Max 10.
In an interview with Aviation Week magazine, Mr. Calhoun expressed his optimism for a positive outcome, noting that Boeing planned to advocate for itself before the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Congress.
Even a world without the [737 Max] 10 is not that dangerous, he asserted, “if you take into account the things we’ve been through, the debts we’ve had to accumulate, our capacity to react or willingness to see things through.”
Mr. Calhoun’s remarks to the BBC were corroborated by a Boeing representative.
The spokesman further stated that the business was committed to complying with all regulations and “to certify and deliver the 737-10 to those of our clients.” “Safety continues to be the primary concern in our effort.”
The FAA forewarned Boeing earlier this year that certification for the Max 10 might not be granted by the end of the year. A plane must be certified before it may be used in the air.
Under laws that take effect in 2023, if Boeing does not receive certification, it will be required to install an alerting system in the Max 10s’ cockpits. That is, unless the US Congress grants a waiver.
According to the BBC, if Boeing decided to use the system, they would need to modify the Max 10’s flight deck and instruct pilots on how to fly in a different arrangement.
More than 600 Max 10 planes have been ordered from Boeing by 18 clients, like United Airlines and IAG, which owns British Airways.
The US regulations were put in place as a result of tragic incidents involving other 737 Max aircraft that occurred in Ethiopia and Indonesia, killing 346 people.
After the Ethiopian Airlines tragedy in 2019, the whole worldwide 737 Max fleet was grounded. The planes have since been permitted to fly once more by authorities all across the world.
