Boeing 737 MAX jet resumes China journey amid uncertainty over model’s return -Breaking
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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO – A Boeing 737 Max is shown at China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition or Airshow China in Zhuhai (Guangdong province), China September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Aly SONG/File PhotoBy Jamie Freed
(Reuters). (Reuters). A Boeing (NYSE: ) Co 737 MAX was meant for China Eastern Airlines’ subsidiary Shanghai Airlines. It flew on Thursday from Guam, according to flight tracking websites. There is uncertainty as to when it will return to China.
Three weeks have passed since Flight BOE631 arrived, more than three months after the first 737 MAX headed for a Chinese customer. It was grounded in Seattle on March 1, 2019.
Due to minor technical issues, the plane painted in Shanghai Airlines livery was stuck in Guam on March 15. The plane is expected to touch down at 11:30 AM Shanghai time (0330 GMT), according to tracking websites.
Boeing did not comment but stated that it was continuing to work with global regulators and customers to bring the MAX back to service.
China Eastern is currently examining China Eastern’s safety procedures following the March 21 crash that claimed the lives of all 132 passengers onboard the 737-800.
Although this model was the precursor to the MAX aircraft, some analysts are concerned that it might hinder Boeing’s attempts to gain ground in the largest market for planes and to deliver more than 140 MAX-built jets to Chinese customers.
China’s aviation regulator presented airlines with a list containing fixes before commercial flights can resume in China, as it expected to do so by the end of December. However, so far there have only been test flights.
China Eastern grounded all its 223 737-800 aircrafts while an investigation is underway. The investigation is being led by Chinese authorities, but the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board assists them in reading the black boxes.
According to Cheng Weng, Morningstar analyst, China Eastern could face consequences based on the findings of the probe. This includes aircraft grounded, fines, and unfavorable treatment for applying for new routes or airport slots.
China Eastern did not release any information about when MAX deliveries will resume. However, China Southern Airlines stated last week that it may take some planes from China Eastern.
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