Boeing CEO has issued a warning that there is a “risk” that the aircraft manufacturer may be compelled to stop producing its 737 Max 10 airliner due to potential regulatory concerns.
In order to get the passenger jet approved by US regulators, the business must do so by the end of this year.
Getting approval was “a little bit of an all-or-nothing” effort, according to chief executive Dave Calhoun.
The Max 10 is the newest and biggest member of the 737 family of planes, which has come under scrutiny after two disasters.
Mr. Calhoun told Aviation Week magazine that he still expected a good result because Boeing planned to argue its case in front of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Congress.
Even a world without the [737 Max] 10 is not that dangerous, he asserted, “if you look at the things we’ve been through, the debts we’ve had to accumulate, our capacity to react or willingness to see things through.”
A representative from Boeing agreed with what Mr. Calhoun said to the BBC.
A spokeswoman for the business further stated that it was committed to complying with all regulations “for certification and delivery of the 737-10 to those of our clients.” “Safety continues to be the primary concern in our effort.”
The FAA told Boeing earlier this year that the Max 10 might not be certified by the end of the year. Certification is necessary for an aircraft to be used in the air.
If Boeing doesn’t receive clearance, laws that take effect in 2023 would require Boeing to install an alerting system in the Max 10s’ cockpits. A waiver from the US Congress would be required otherwise.
BBC says that adding the system would require Boeing to change the way the Max 10’s flight deck is set up and teach the pilots how to fly in a new way.
More than 600 Max 10 planes have been ordered from Boeing by 18 clients, such as IAG, which owns British Airways, and United Airlines.
After other 737 Max models crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing 346 people, the US made some changes to the rules.
Following the crash involving Ethiopian Airlines in 2019, the whole worldwide 737 Max fleet was grounded. The planes can now fly again thanks to permission from authorities all across the world.
