The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will conduct a review of Boeing’s proposed enhanced flight‑crew alerting system for the 737 MAX 10. The review focuses on the synthetic enhanced angle‑of‑attack (AOA) system and the ability to shut off stall warning and overspeed alerts, both of which are critical to the aircraft’s safety architecture.
The review comes as the MAX 10 certification has already been delayed by more than a year, largely because of a redesign of the engine anti‑ice system and the need to meet modern cockpit‑alerting standards. In December 2022 Congress granted a waiver that postponed a deadline for new safety standards, but the waiver required Boeing to retrofit future safety enhancements within three years of the MAX 10’s certification. The FAA’s scrutiny of the alerting system is therefore a key step toward meeting that requirement and moving the aircraft toward certification.
The outcome of the review could push the MAX 10’s entry into service further back, which would affect airlines that have placed large orders. Delta Air Lines now expects first deliveries in 2026 at the earliest, WestJet in Q4 2026, United Airlines in 2027‑28, and Ryanair in spring 2027. A delay also gives Airbus’s A321neo a competitive advantage in the narrow‑body market, potentially eroding Boeing’s market share and impacting revenue and cash flow from the 737 family.
Boeing’s CFO Jay Malave said the company remains confident that the MAX 10 will be certified in late 2026, citing progress on the anti‑ice redesign and ongoing collaboration with the FAA. CEO Kelly Ortberg noted that the engine anti‑ice solution has taken longer than expected but that the company is working to meet the three‑year retrofit requirement. Their statements signal a cautious optimism but also acknowledge the headwinds that could extend the certification timeline.
The review underscores the broader regulatory scrutiny Boeing faces after the 2018 and 2019 crashes. While the company’s financial performance has been resilient, the potential for further delays could pressure future revenue growth and erode investor confidence in the 737 program. Airlines and investors will watch the FAA’s findings closely, as they will shape Boeing’s delivery schedule, cash‑flow projections, and competitive positioning against Airbus.
The FAA’s review is a critical milestone in the MAX 10 certification process. Boeing’s ability to address the alerting‑system requirements will determine whether the aircraft can meet its projected late‑2026 certification target and begin deliveries to the airlines that have already adjusted their fleet plans.
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