REUTERS: According to Bloomberg News, Chinese aviation regulators have shown a willingness to conduct flying testing on Boeing’s 737 MAX, potentially clearing the way for the fastest-selling plane’s return to China (Jul 8). Deals for a validation flight are still being worked out, and the planemaker wants to meet with regulators in late July with a team of 35 pilots and engineers, according to the newspaper, which cited people familiar with the situation.
Boeing had wanted to see the MAX take to the skies by the end of 2020, but trade tensions, regulatory impediments, and measures by the West to offset Chinese competition have all slowed its return.
Since 2017, the business has been virtually locked out of new orders in the world’s largest aircraft market, forcing it to reduce manufacturing of the long-haul 787.
Boeing is boosting up attempts to persuade China that the plane is safe under the Biden administration, with the goal of resetting their most vital cooperation as air travel recovers from epidemic lows.
“We’ve been working with additional regulators as they complete their validation processes following approval from the FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration) and other regulators to restart commercial operations,” Boeing said.
Despite this, the report stated that lifting the restriction after the test flight could take months.
After jumping quickly on strong volumes following the Bloomberg article in afternoon trading, the company’s shares closed 2% higher at US$236.77./n
