FAA Delays Boeing 737 Max 10 Certification Over Software Issue

What did the FAA say about the 737 Max 10?

The Federal Aviation Administration will delay certification of Boeing Co.'s 737 Max 10, holding up the final step before airlines can begin taking delivery of the jet, according to Bloomberg. The setback arrives just as Boeing was in the final stages of winning FAA approval for the variant, Bloomberg reported.

Why is certification being held up now?

A newly identified software issue is the cause, according to Bloomberg's report. The outlet did not specify the nature of the software problem or which system it affects, and Boeing has not issued a public statement addressing the specific defect. The timing is notable because the delay comes after the aircraft had already cleared most of the review process required for the FAA to sign off on deliveries.

A newly identified software issue is holding up final approval just as Boeing neared the finish line on certification, Bloomberg reported.

How long has the 737 Max 10 been waiting for approval?

The Max 10 is the largest variant in Boeing's Max family and has already faced repeated delays before this latest one, according to the reporting. Bloomberg's story does not list a new target date for certification, and the FAA has not published a revised timeline.

What does this mean for airlines with orders on the books?

Airlines that have ordered the Max 10 will see their delivery schedules pushed further out, since the aircraft cannot be delivered to commercial operators until the FAA issues its approval. The report does not name specific carriers or quantify how many aircraft are affected, and Boeing has not detailed how the delay will ripple through its production and delivery plans.

What has Boeing said in response?

No statement from Boeing is included in the available reporting. The company has not confirmed the technical details of the software issue or committed to a revised certification date, based on the sourcing currently available.

What to watch

• Whether the FAA sets a new target date for 737 Max 10 certification
• Whether Boeing issues a public statement detailing the software fix
• Whether airlines with pending Max 10 orders comment on revised delivery expectations
• Whether additional software or technical issues surface during the remainder of the review

The delay adds to a certification process for the Max 10 that has already stretched past initial timelines, and no new approval date has been made public as of this reporting.