Boeing has pushed back its expectation of the 737 Max’s certification by one quarter, saying it now expects to resume 737 Max deliveries in the fourth quarter.
Previously, Boeing had expected certification would occur in time for it to resume 737 Max deliveries in the third quarter.
Boeing cannot begin delivering the jets until regulators lift the grounding, which has been in place since March 2019.
“The overall environment creates real logistical challenges,” chief executive David Calhoun says of certification on 29 July.
Those challenges include restrictions on international travel, he adds.
The Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have been working with overseas regulators and overseas pilots as part of the 737 Max’s certification.
“Based on our latest assessment, we now expect the necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained in time to resume” deliveries in the fourth quarter, Calhoun tells investors.
He made his comments during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, when Boeing announced it lost $2.4 billion in the quarter.
On 21 July, the FAA said it will soon issue a proposed rule that would lift the Max grounding. Once published, the FAA will accept public comments about the rule for 45 days.
