Boeing Nears FAA Approval for 737 MAX Anti-Ice Fix, Clearing Path for New Models

Boeing is in the final stages of securing regulatory certification for a fix to its 737 MAX engine anti-ice system, company executives said. The approval would resolve a major obstacle that has delayed the entry into service of the new MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants of its best-selling jetliner.

Certification Nears Completion

The redesigned system addresses a potential overheating issue that could lead to engine failure. This has been the primary hurdle for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the smallest (MAX 7) and largest (MAX 10) versions of the aircraft. Boeing executives, speaking ahead of the Farnborough Airshow, stated the more profitable MAX 10 is 98% through certification flight testing, with only two tests remaining.

This development is critical for Boeing and its customers. The company has already built approximately 30 MAX 7s and nine MAX 10s that are awaiting delivery, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The MAX 10 variant alone accounts for at least 28% of all outstanding MAX orders, representing significant future revenue. The FAA previously said in May it expected to certify the MAX 7 this summer, for which Southwest Airlines is the largest customer.

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The certification delays for the new MAX models, which are years behind schedule, have allowed competitor Airbus to expand its lead in the lucrative narrowbody market. Boeing has faced a more stringent regulatory process following two fatal MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019 and increased scrutiny after a cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 in January 2024.

According to Mike Sinnett, Boeing’s senior vice president of product development, the fix for the anti-ice system also provides the benefits of reduced engine noise and mitigated fan flutter. The company is working with regulators on a schedule to retrofit the existing in-service MAX fleet, aiming to perform the work during scheduled heavy maintenance checks to minimize airline disruption.

Additional Safety Enhancements

The MAX 10 will also debut an enhanced angle-of-attack (AOA) system, a new flight crew alerting system designed to meet safety requirements imposed by Congress after the 2018 and 2019 crashes. This system simplifies alerts from a failed AOA sensor, which was a key factor in the two accidents that killed 346 people. Boeing stated that all in-service 737 MAX aircraft will have the new system installed within two years of its certification.