EASA gives approval to resume operations of modified Boeing 737 MAX

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted formal approval to resume operations for the modified version of the Boeing 737 MAX.

The Boeing 737 MAX has been temporarily grounded since March 2019, following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

The approval mandates changes made on the aircraft’s software and electrical wiring system, as well as maintenance checks, operations manual updates and crew training.

This news comes two months after the EASA started its preparations to return the aircraft to service. The EASA will closely monitor 737 MAX operations after it resumes service.

EASA executive director Patrick Ky said: “We have reached a significant milestone on a long road. Following extensive analysis by EASA, we have determined that the 737 MAX can safely return to service.

“This assessment was carried out in full independence of Boeing or the Federal Aviation Administration and without any economic or political pressure – we asked difficult questions until we got answers and pushed for solutions, which satisfied our exacting safety requirements.  We carried out our own flight tests and simulator sessions and did not rely on others to do this for us.”

In addition to the EASA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) gave its approval for the UK airlines to resume passenger flights operation with the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The regulator removed the ban on the aircraft operating in UK airspace, joining other regulators such as Transport Canada, the FAA and EASA.

In a separate development, Canada’s ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Flair Airlines will lease 13 new Boeing 737 Max 8s from Miami-based private equity company 777 Partners.

Earlier this month, Canada’s aviation authority officially cleared 737 MAX 8 aircraft to resume operations.

Meanwhile, Boeing approved Burloak to additively develop aluminium AlSi10Mg components to the aircraft manufacturer’s BAC 5673 specification.