China flying more Boeing 737 MAX as crisis-hit aircraft returns to skies

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Boeing to ramp up 737 MAX production “very soon”
Boeing 737 MAX makes first passenger flight in China in four years

Why does it matter?

The narrow-body aircraft was grounded worldwide in 2019, after two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Nevertheless, it was cleared by regulators to return to service in 2020, after carrying out the safety modifications mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume service, including installing software enhancements, completing wire separation modifications, conducting pilot training, and accomplishing thorough de-preservation activities to ensure the aircraft readiness.

China marks the last major market to resume 737 MAX operations, at the heels of recovering domestic travel demand after the lift of COVID-related restrictions.

In January, China Southern Airlines operated a 737 MAX-8 passenger flight from Guangzhou to Zhengzhou, marking the aircraft’s return to the Chinese market after nearly four years.

The company also revealed it upgraded a flight training device for the 737 MAX aircraft in Shanghai to enhance pilot training.

“The move reaffirms our commitment to our civil aircraft customers in China,” Sherry Carbary, the president of Boeing China said, adding that the equipment upgrade allows the company to further enhance its support for Chinese 737 MAX customers as they expand the aircraft’s operations in and around China.