IATA urges coordinated effort to return Boeing 737 Max to service

A new issue could delay aircraft's return

With a new potential risk identified in the Boeing 737 Max, IATA urged state aviation safety regulators to continue to align on technical validation requirements and timelines for now grounded aircraft’s safe return to service.

According to a Reuters report, the risk was discovered during a simulator test the week before. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the risk must be addressed before the aircraft can take to the skies again.

A new issue could delay aircraft’s return

Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “The Boeing 737 Max tragedies weigh heavily on an industry that holds safety as its top priority. We trust the FAA in its role as the certifying regulator, to ensure the aircraft’s safe return to service. And we respect the duty of regulators around the world to make independent decisions on FAA’s recommendation.”

Boeing has been under intense fire after the crash of two of its 737 aircraft, with some 400 Boeing 737 Max pilots suing the aircraft maker over alleged “cover-up” of “known design flaws”. Last week, Boeing was accused of another cover-up. Air Canada had encountered a fuel leak 10 months into operating a 787 jet and notified Boeing of the fault in 2015.

Records stated that the required manufacturing work had been completed when it had not, although Boeing told CBC news that it “self-disclosed” the issue to FAA.

Amid the accusations and heightened focus on safety, de Juniac stressed that aviation is a “globally integrated system that relies on global standards, including mutual recognition, trust, and reciprocity among safety regulators”. A coordinated effort is necessary for the system to function and for public confidence to be restored.

IATA also reiterated the need for alignment on additional training requirements for Boeing 737 Max flight crew.

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