FAA has signed an order on 18 November 2020 for the Boeing 737 MAX to return to Commercial Service

The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded for service worldwide after 346 people died in two fatal accidents happened in just 5 months apart in 2018 and 2019. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked diligently to identify and address the safety issues of the aircraft. After a 20-month period of comprehensive and methodical safety review process, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson has finally signed an order for the Boeing 737 MAX to return to commercial service on 18 November 2020. In addition, He personally took the recommended pilot training and piloted the Boeing 737 MAX, so he could experience the handling of the aircraft first hand.

In order for the aircraft to return to the skies, the FAA has published an Airworthiness Directive specifying design changes that must be made before the aircraft returns to service, issued a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC), and published the MAX training requirements. In addition, The FAA must approve 737 MAX pilot training program revisions for each U.S. airline operating the MAX and will retain its authority to issue airworthiness certificates and export certificates of airworthiness for all new 737 MAX aircraft manufactured since the FAA issued the grounding order. Furthermore, airlines that have parked their MAX aircraft must take required maintenance steps to prepare them to fly again.

An unprecedented level of collaborative and independent reviews by aviation authorities around the would have been included in the design and certification of the Boeing 737 MAX. These regulators indicated that that Boeing’s design changes, together with the changes to crew procedures and training enhancements, will give them the confidence to validate the aircraft as safe to fly in their respective countries and regions.