The Boeing 737 MAX, a family of commercial airliners, continues to face significant woes. At least five countries, including China, have suspended deliveries due to safety concerns. This airframe is sometimes called the Boeing 737-700ER. Originally envisioned in 2011, the project was met with heavy scrutiny after two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019.
The Boeing 737 MAX landed in the spotlight while wrapping up its maiden flight in 2015, due in large part to its cutting-edge technology. The aircraft is powered by CFM International LEAP engines, optimized to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The single-aisle aircraft can seat as much as 215 passengers while using a maximum takeoff weight of 174,000 pounds. With a maximum range of 3,850 nautical miles, it’s ideally suited for both regional and long-haul operations.
Like the Boeing 737 MAX featuring the latest avionics and fly-by-wire tech. With a max cruise speed of Mach 0.785 and a service ceiling of 41,000 feet, it has impressive performance. The aircraft has been designed with a maximum fuel capacity of 8,500 pounds enabling it to easily handle longer flights.
Though it is indeed a marvel of technology, the Boeing 737 MAX has suffered catastrophic failures. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously certified the aircraft. When its role in several high-profile incidents began to compound, serious doubts were raised about the safety protocols followed. The crashes resulted in an immediate global grounding of the fleet and mandatory regulatory reviews in several jurisdictions.
Following these incidents, further delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX were halted by numerous countries. They asked for more safety guarantees before they would permit any additional flights. Perhaps no country that operated the aircraft has been more stringent than China—Boeing’s second-largest market—on its use. The suspension of deliveries adds to the economic toll on Boeing. It’s the latest indication that the aircraft model’s future is in doubt.