Boeing Claims It’s Close to Returning 737 Max to Service
Skift Take
Boeing said Wednesday it expects regulators in some countries soon will approve its fixes to the 737 Max program. We've heard this before. But indications seem to suggest Boeing is close this time.
Boeing expects its 737 Max will be ready to fly by year-end, but warned it may be a phased return to service, with some countries allowing it to fly before others, executives said Wednesday on their third quarter earnings call.
"Looking forward, we target regulator approval for the 737 Max return to service to begin this quarter," CEO Dennis Muilenburg said. "As we have said before, however, it's the FAA and other regulatory authorities who will ultimately determine the timing and conditions of return to service in each relevant jurisdiction."
Boeing executives, who not long ago were combative toward media and investment analysts, took a conciliatory tone on Wednesday, repeatedly apologizing for the troubles with the Max program. They promised to fix structural issues at the company, pointing to changes made recently by the board of directors. In the past week, Muilenburg lost his title as board chairman, and Kevin McAllister was let go as president and CEO of Boeing Commercial A
