Extension to certify 737 MAX 7 and 10 not part of current defense bill -sources

The latest version of the U.S. Senate’s defense bill does not contain an amendment to extend a December deadline for Boeing to win regulatory approval for the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 jetliners, according to sources and documents seen by Reuters.

Late last month, Republican Senator Roger Wicker proposed extending until September 2024 the deadline for the U.S. planemaker to win approval for the two new 737 variants.

→ Southwest pilots union backs Boeing on MAX 7, 10 certification extension.

Unless it gains an extension from Congress, Boeing must meet new modern cockpit-alerting requirements that could significantly delay the planes’ entry into service. Wicker had sought to attach the measure to the version of the defense bill that was filed on Tuesday.

The requirements were adopted by Congress as part of certification reform passed after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people and led to the bestselling plane’s 20-month grounding.

There are other opportunities to make changes to the defense bill and an extension could be attached to other measures Congress will consider before year end.