China signals approval for Boeing 737 MAX changes
- Aviation authority tells airlines that proposed alterations to aircraft are satisfactory
- Planes grounded more than two years ago after two deadly crashes
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) invited airlines to give feedback on a proposed airworthiness directive for the 737 MAX by November 26, according to an undated notice seen by Reuters.
The directive outlines specific procedures for pilots to perform in case of problems similar to those that emerged in two deadly crashes before the plane’s grounding in March 2019. It also lists all the systems that must be functioning for the plane to be dispatched.
A return to the skies in China, the world’s biggest aircraft market, would be a major boon to Boeing. Broker Jefferies said in September an announcement would be worth a 5 per cent boost to the stock price.
The United States and Europe last year sought industry feedback on similar proposed directives before ultimately approving the return of the 737 MAX.
The CAAC’s notice said that after a comprehensive review of the changes Boeing proposed, including to the design of the aviation control software and display system, it assessed the changes could remove the unsafe situations that led to the crashes.
The agency did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the notice. Boeing said the airline continued to work with regulators around the world to return the 737 MAX to service.