May 13, 2021 - Economy

Boeing: FAA has approved 737 MAX electrical fix

Rebecca Falconer

American Airlines flight 718, a Boeing 737 Max, is pushed back from its gate at Miami International Airport on its way to New York on December 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. — A Boeing 737 Max at Miami International Airport in 2020. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Boeing gained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for a "fix" to an electrical issue that sidelined roughly 100 of its 737 MAX planes worldwide, Reuters first reported Wednesday night.

Why it matters: Wednesday's approval paves the way for a swift return of the flights that were removed from service early last month.

The aircraft manufacturer has been hit by production and design problems over the 737 MAX jets, most notably two fatal plane crashes that prompted the grounding of all MAXs for more than a year.

What they're saying: "After gaining final approvals from the FAA, we have issued service bulletins for the affected fleet," Boeing said in an emailed statement.

"We'll continue to stay close to our customers as they complete the work to return their airplanes to service. We are also completing the work as we prepare to resume deliveries."
The FAA did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. But FAA administrator Steve Dickson told the U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing transportation earlier Wednesday the issue was a "pretty straightforward fix," according to Reuters.

"It is performing as well or better overall than any other airplane out there in the aviation system right now."

— Dickson

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Boeing: FAA has approved 737 MAX electrical fix

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