FAA won’t approve Boeing Max until 2020
The US Federal Aviation Administration will almost certainly not approve the Boeing 737 Max to fly again until 2020.
There are still several stages that need to be completed before the agency is ready to clear the aircraft, said FAA chief Steve Dickson.
However, there is still no fixed deadline.
"Each one of these processes is going to take some time. If you just do the math, it is going to extend into 2020," he said.
At this week’s hearing at the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Dickson laid out the steps which still need to be completed.
These include full pilot training evaluation, certification flights and a FAA and a Technical Advisory Board review of the design documents.
Only when all stages are signed off will it issue a continued airworthiness notification which may be subject to pending safety actions.
During the hours-long hearing, Dickson was bombarded with questions and criticism over the FAA’s handling of the initial certification of the Max and its response following the two deadly crashes.
Dickson acknowledged the Max should have been grounded after the first crash of a Lion Air jet in 2018.
The agency’s own analysis predicted there could be 15 further fatal accidents over the lifetime of the airplanes based on a global fleet of nearly 5,000 if no corrective action was taken.
Two whistleblowers also gave testimony calling out the cozy relationship between Boeing and the agency at the expense of ‘the safety of the traveling public.’
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026