Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) has won approval from U.S. regulators for a fix of an electrical issue that had affected about 100 737 MAX airplanes, clearing the way for their quick return to service.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clearance comes as a relief to U.S. air carriers that had been anxiously waiting to get the 737 MAX airplanes back into service as air travel demand increases.
The top three U.S. 737 MAX operators - Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) and United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) – had removed more than 60 737 MAX jets from service due to an electrical issue.
The electrical problem emerged after Boeing changed a manufacturing method as it worked to speed up production of the aircraft. A fourth person said the change improved a hole-drilling process.
The FAA said other carriers affected by the 737 MAX service suspension included Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, Iceland Air, and Canada’s WestJet Airlines (TSX:WJA), among others.
The regulator has daily meetings with Boeing to discuss the 737 MAX’s performance. In February, the FAA said it was tracking all Boeing 737 MAX airplanes using satellite data.
