Will the Boeing 737 Max, involved in the crash disaster, resume operations in China as well?

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As various countries cautiously resume operations of the 'Boeing 737 Max' model, which has been under a flight ban for 2 years and 8 months due to consecutive crash accidents, attention is gathering as China is also expected to grant approval soon.

This follows reports that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has given a positive evaluation regarding the safety of Boeing's proposed flight control software upgrade and some design changes such as internal wiring for the 737 Max model.

According to major foreign media on the 15th, the CAAC recently convened airline officials to communicate its stance on Boeing's proposed airworthiness improvement measures.

Major foreign media reported that the CAAC expressed at this meeting that Boeing's design change plan could resolve the safety issues of the 737 Max model, interpreting this as a signal that the flight ban on the 737 Max is nearing its lift.

China's aviation authorities were the first in the world to ban the operation of the 737 Max after crashes in October 2018 and March 2019 resulted in 346 deaths.

Since then, Boeing has carried out supplementary work including flight control software upgrades, internal wiring changes, and revisions to crew operating procedures, receiving approval to resume operations from over 170 countries worldwide.

The United States and Brazil permitted the resumption of flights in November last year, and Europe and the United Kingdom followed in January this year.

Korean aviation authorities are also reportedly planning to decide soon whether to allow the resumption of 737 Max operations after analyzing safety and reliability and consulting with industry and experts.

If China, the world's largest aviation market, decides to resume operations of the 737 Max, Boeing's performance is expected to improve significantly.

Last month, Dave Calhoun, Boeing's CEO, stated that the company is working to obtain approval from Chinese authorities to resume 737 Max operations by the end of the year.

Boeing forecasts that Chinese airlines will need a total of 8,700 new aircraft, including cargo planes, by 2040.

In September, Boeing estimated that the price of these 8,700 aircraft would reach $1.47 trillion.

Boeing cited China's rapid economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the expansion of low-cost carriers and the e-commerce market, as factors driving increased aircraft demand from Chinese airlines.

Boeing also expects improvements in the operational capabilities of Chinese airlines and an expansion of international long-haul routes, particularly foreseeing high growth potential for low-cost carriers based on single-aisle passenger aircraft like the 737 Max.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.