Boeing delivered its first 737 MAX to a Chinese airline since March 2019 on Wednesday, flight data showed, ending an almost five-year freeze.
The delivery represents a vote of confidence for Boeing during a difficult period for the planemaker following a Jan. 5 mid-air cabin blowout during a full flight.
Chinese imports of the MAX have been suspended since it was grounded worldwide in 2019 following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Safety bans have been lifted with existing MAX already flying inside China, but new deliveries had remained on hold.
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A 737 MAX 8 for China Southern Airlines departed from Seattle Boeing field in Washington state at 11.56 a.m. Pacific Time (2.56 p.m. ET) for Honolulu, flight data from FlightRadar 24 shows, before its final destination in China, Reuters reported.
The MAX handover comes after Boeing in December made its first direct delivery of a 787 Dreamliner to a Chinese customer since 2019.
However, the trajectory of future deliveries remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether the event represents a real reset of Boeing’s relationship with China or a temporary political concession.
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