Aircraft maker Boeing is scheduled to deliver its first 737 Max plane after being grounded for almost two years due to fatal crashes.
Sources say that Boeing will be delivering a 737 Max plane to United Airlines, the first delivery since the aircraft was grounded in March 2019 following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.
United plans to finance 100% of the cost of new aircraft for the foreseeable future and has arranged a financing of $1.6 billion for the purchase. Currently, United has 14 of the 737 Max in its fleet prior to the new delivery.
Restart of production and FAA certification
The aircraft manufacturer restarted its production of the controversial 737 Max airplanes last May. The company made the announcement despite the lack of demand for new jets and air travel, as well as having no approval yet to allow the planes to fly again during that time.
Prior to officially halting production in January, the company has continued to produce its best-selling 737 Max jet even after it was grounded in March 2019 following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.
It was able to produce 400 units prior to the stoppage but was unable to deliver.
Last November, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted clearance to the 737 Max and lifted grounding orders. As part of the clearance, existing planes will need to be modified before going back into service.
The required modifications include design, software and wiring changes, as well as additional training for pilots.
According to the FAA, the design changes it had required "have eliminated what caused these particular accidents". FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said: "We’ve done everything humanly possible to make sure” these types of crashes do not happen again."
Boeing chief executive officer (CEO) Dave Calhoun mentioned that aside from the required improvements to the 737 Max, the aircraft maker had also strengthened its safety practices and culture since the crashes.
Return to the skies
Brazilian airline GOL just announced that it will be resuming passenger flights using the troubled Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
GOL will become the first airline to resume Boeing 737 Max flights after the aircraft was grounded globally in March 2019 following two fatal crashes that resulted to the death of 346 people.
According to GOL, the largest domestic airline in Brazil, the Boeing 737 plane will be used on routes to and from its hub in the city of Sao Paulo. However, the carrier did not specify which specific route will be used for the first flights.
The airline also noted that passengers will be notified if their flight will be flown on the 737 Max and will have the option to have their tickets exchanged for flights using other planes if they refuse to fly on the 737 Max.
Meanwhile, American Airlines announced back in October that it will launch Boeing 737 Max tours to bring back the confidence in the plane.
American Airlines said it will begin flights with employees after Thanksgiving, assuming the FAA will allow flights in mid-November, Seymour noted. An American Airlines spokesman explained that the company’s plans remain tentative.
The airline company plans to offer customers a chance to see the aircraft up close at airports, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, LaGuardia, and Miami, along with pilots and mechanics. The company also said that pilots can respond to customer questions through calls and video messages.
