Boeing 737 MAX 7 Delivery Delayed to 2024

Boeing’s delivery of the 737 MAX 7 has been postponed to 2024, as mentioned in an SEC filing. However, the company still anticipates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the MAX 7 and commence FAA certification flight testing for the MAX 10 in 2023, with the MAX 10’s first delivery scheduled for 2024.

Both the MAX 7 and MAX 10 play crucial roles in Boeing’s competition against Airbus for orders in the narrowbody markets. The delay in delivering the MAX 7 to Southwest Airlines, its launch customer, could impact the carrier’s expansion plans, given their exclusive operation of the 737.

Despite the delays, Boeing’s second-quarter results boosted its shares by 7.7%, surpassing Wall Street consensus. The MAX 7 certification process has been facing challenges with safety management system paperwork, and there is no specific timetable for the FAA’s approval.

Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, previously expected the 737 MAX 7 to be delivered this year and the MAX 10 in the following year. However, new documentation requirements have caused considerable delays in the MAX 7 certification process.

The MAX 10 aims to compete with Airbus’ A321 neo, while the smaller MAX 7 competes with Airbus’ A220. Boeing must secure FAA approval for the MAX 7 before proceeding with the MAX 10 certification, both of which faced significant delays due to intensified regulatory scrutiny following the MAX 8’s previous certification issues involving fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.