Boeing is facing an unpredicted challenge in returning the 737 MAX to service – regulators working to certify and approve upgrades are conducting checks while working from home.
The restrictions are also limiting the number of staff who can continue to implement vital software changes. Many of Boeing’s production facilities have already been severely affected by the lockdown.
Boeing initially estimated a mid-year return to service for the 737 MAX, however, this could now be delayed for one to three further months as these obstacles slow the process.
Regulators are often stuck working from home on different continents greatly increasing the complexity of the task at hand.
According to reporting from Bloomberg, one analyst, Carter Copeland of Melius Research, stated, “It is now difficult, if not impossible, for various global regulatory staff to get into the country, and the FAA’s task list now includes many immense challenges related to COVID-19.”
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that it “is engaging with Boeing as the company continued to make progress on demonstrating that the 737 MAX complies with certification standards”.
Aircraft supplier will no doubt be feeling the pinch as the crisis continues.
“Airbus and Boeing were set to deliver around 430 aircraft in Europe this year, assuming no extended grounding of the US plane maker’s B737 MAX aircraft over safety concerns, but it now looks unlikely many of those deliveries will be made,” said Azza Chammem, an analyst at Scope Ratings.
Boeing is facing plunging demand for the 737 MAX and at least $19 billion in costs as a result of the ongoing effects of two fatal MAX incidents that began the grounding.
New chief executive David Calhoun had previously attempted to ease investors and suppliers worries by confirming the mid-year time frame, however, with the added effects of the COVID-19 shutdown, this is again yet another major setback.
Boeing has also been lobbying for a share in the aid package announced by the US administration to assist it through the crisis.
