en.Wedoany.com Reported - Boeing's 737 MAX 7 aircraft is expected to receive certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by the end of this month. According to the Wall Street Journal, federal regulators may approve the model for commercial passenger operations later this month, marking a long-awaited development for Boeing.

The MAX 7 is the smallest variant in the MAX series and a derivative of the first 737 model in Boeing's 737 family. This certification is significant for Boeing, which has faced intense scrutiny following two fatal crashes involving the MAX series and the Alaska Airlines door plug incident. The FAA's safety approval will determine the official timing of the certification. Boeing also hopes the FAA will soon return the authority to sign off on newly produced 737 aircraft, a privilege revoked after the 2019 fatal crashes. This week, Boeing opened another MAX production line in Everett, a site previously used for manufacturing the 767 and 747.

The largest customer for the MAX 7 is Southwest Airlines, the world's biggest low-cost carrier, which has ordered over 258 of these aircraft. While awaiting MAX 7 deliveries, Southwest continues to operate older 737-700 aircraft with an average age of over 20 years. Boeing has already manufactured more than 20 MAX 7s, which are currently stored at its facility in Moses Lake, Washington, pending certification.

In addition to the MAX 7, Boeing is also advancing certification for the MAX 10, which is expected to be approved by the end of the year. The largest customers for the MAX 10 include United Airlines, headquartered in Chicago, and Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, though some hurdles remain. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg described this series of certifications as "light at the end of the tunnel." Southwest Airlines stated that even if the MAX 7 receives certification this month, it is unlikely to enter commercial service before early 2027.

In addition to Southwest Airlines, customers such as WestJet and Allegiant Air have also ordered the MAX 7. With the MAX 8 and MAX 9 already certified and in operation, Boeing is working to complete the approval process for the remaining variants.