NEW YORK, Aug 4 — US aviation giant Boeing has received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its new 737 aircraft, the company said on Monday, reported German news agency (dpa).
The smallest and longest-range member of the 737 MAX family, the 737-7, had been cleared for commercial service, Boeing said.
The company had planned to have the model in service as early as 2019. However, the manufacturer has been under strict oversight from the FAA due in part to two fatal crashes of 737 MAX jets.
Stephanie Pope, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the certification “validates the rigour” of the aircraft.
“Our team of dedicated engineers and test experts worked through challenges, an extended pandemic, and the transition to new certification processes,” Pope said. “Through it all, our team stayed focused on completing all requirements and delivering a safe and more capable airplane to our customers.”
The FAA said the approval reflected “years of sustained work” to resolve complex technical issues and complete a thorough review of the aircraft’s design and supporting safety analyses.
The 737-7 can seat between 135 and 160 passengers and offers a range of up to 7,040 kilometres.
Boeing said that, like other 737 MAX jets, the 737-7 reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20 per cent and its noise footprint by 50 per cent compared to the aircraft it typically replaces.
