The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will allow Boeing to resume issuing airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft starting next week, ending years of direct government oversight on final safety checks. The FAA announced the decision on July 17, saying an eight-month review found comparable production quality whether Boeing or government inspectors performed the certifications.
The agency had stripped Boeing of self-certification authority following fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, and later revoked the same privilege for 787 Dreamliners in 2022. FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said inspectors will now concentrate on identifying defects earlier in the manufacturing process.
The move coincides with production increases. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing's commercial airplane division, said on July 19 that the company received approval in May to raise 737 Max output to 47 aircraft per month, with plans to reach 52 monthly once that level stabilizes.