The ability to resume flying was a relief to US Max 9 operators Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, which had been forced to cancel thousands of flights and aim to begin returning the planes to service on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
But experts said the FAA’s response to “unacceptable” quality controls following the loss of a door plug at 16,000 feet on January 5 could delay some deliveries of new planes to airlines and hurt suppliers already reeling from an earlier Max crisis and the pandemic.
That ripple effect started to emerge on Thursday, as Southwest Airlines, a loyal Boeing customer, altered its fleet plans for 2024, saying it expected to take fewer deliveries of 737 Max aircraft.
The FAA announcement came hours after Boeing delivered its first 737 Max to a Chinese airline since March 2019, ending an almost five-year freeze and granting a respite for strained trade relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Boeing is seeking to increase production of its bestselling single-aisle 737 Max family to keep pace with demand and close a gap in the jet market with European planemaker Airbus.
Analysts have expressed concerns that extra scrutiny of Boeing factories following the Max 9 door plug blowout would temper production increases for the smaller and more widely sold Max 8, a key source of cash for Boeing and many suppliers.
Part that blew off Boeing 737 Max jet made in Malaysia
Part that blew off Boeing 737 Max jet made in Malaysia
“The quality assurance issues we have seen are unacceptable.” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement announcing the freeze on any expansion in Max production until the issues were resolved. “That is why we will have more boots on the ground closely scrutinising and monitoring production and manufacturing activities.”
Boeing said it would continue to cooperate “fully and transparently” with the FAA and follow the agency’s direction as it took action to strengthen safety and quality.
In October, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the company planned to reach production of 38 Max planes per month by the end of 2023.
Boeing’s latest 737 master schedule, which sets the production pace for suppliers, calls for production to rise to 42 jets per month in February, 47.2 in August, 52.5 by February 2025 and 57.7 in October 2025, Reuters reported in December.
However, Boeing’s own production pace can lag the supplier master schedule.
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Boeing Max plane grounded globally after mid-air blowout leaving hole the size of a door
Boeing Max plane grounded globally after mid-air blowout leaving hole the size of a door
Calhoun faced questions from senators on the Alaska Airlines incident in a series of meetings on Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell said she would hold hearings to investigate the cause of Boeing’s safety lapses.
“The American flying public and Boeing line workers deserve a culture of leadership at Boeing that puts safety ahead of profits,” Cantwell said.
Calhoun said Boeing would restore public confidence in its planes.
The FAA’s decision could impact plans to stand up a new 737 Max line in Everett, Washington, by mid 2024, following the end of production of Boeing’s 747 in the massive plant.
The line, set to be the fourth 737 line overall and the first outside its Renton plant, also in suburban Seattle, is needed to meet strong demand.
Boeing declined to comment on any potential impact on the Everett line.
US regulator investigating Boeing 737 Max 9 after mid-air blowout
US regulator investigating Boeing 737 Max 9 after mid-air blowout
Once accused of being too soft on Boeing, the FAA has toughened oversight since earlier Max crashes led to a worldwide grounding, but Wednesday’s intervention opens new territory, experts said.
Jefferies analysts said the FAA halt to expansion seemed “restrictive” and lacked a definitive timeline.
“These actions (are) likely put pressure on any near-term production ramp, but appear to be more timing related,” they added.
Some airlines could be “significantly” affected by any freeze on higher production, a senior industry source said, though many in the industry have already factored in some delays as aerospace firms continue to recover from the pandemic.
United, for example, has 100 Max deliveries scheduled for this year, according to a regulatory filing in October.