The Consecutive crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia had claimed 346 victims. The cause was faulty computer programmes to assist navigation. This led to the suspension and total flight ban on the latest model from the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
It will therefore have taken almost two years to change all the aircraft's flight assistance programmes. Then to re-certify it to the new standards. Authorisation from the FAA will have been postponed twice, from the end of 2019 to April 2020, before finally taking place last November.
The controversial aircraft is back in the air. The first airline to use the Boeing 737 MAX is not American, but Brazilian. The GOL hybrid transporter launched its first Boeing 737 MAX flight on 9 December, departing from its hub at Sao Paulo. At the time, the airline's management announced that it hoped to return all seven of its aircraft to service by the end of 2020. There is currently no further information from the Brazilian carrier...
The Boeing 737 MAX only in America for the time being
More high-profile, however, was the relaunch of a flight by American Airlines. On 29 December last, a Boeing 737 MAX took off from Miami to New York-La Guardia.
Speaking to reporters, company chairman Robert Isom explained that ". the aircraft is ready to fly. The 737 MAX offers greater passenger comfort than previous versions of the B737. It's more efficient; it's greener. It deserves to be able to fly when other types of aircraft should be sitting in hangars.he confided.
American is expected to return all 34 MAX aircraft to service by spring. Southwest and United have also confirmed the return of the aircraft to their respective fleets next March. For passengers wishing to avoid a flight on the Boeing 737 MAX, American Airlines has already announced that it will allow a schedule change without penalty...
In Europe, theAESAthe EU's aviation regulator, is expected to issue a favourable opinion in January. RyanairEurope's largest operator of the 737 MAX, is planning to launch the delivery of 50 aircraft of this type in 2021.
