United Airlines has asked Boeing to pause production of the 737 Max 10 amid certification delays, according to Bloomberg.
United Airlines Holdings Inc. has told Boeing Co. to cease the production of 737 Max 10 jets for the carrier. They are choosing to switch to a smaller variant and opt for the rival Airbus SE A321 until the US planemaker completes the long-delayed certification for the stretched single-aisle aircraft.
United Airlines has requested that Boeing halt production of the Max 10 and instead focus on producing Max 9s, citing delays in Max 10 certification. Additionally, United is considering purchasing A321s from Airbus while awaiting clearance for the Max 10. CEO Scott Kirby expressed safety concerns regarding the Max 10 following a fuselage panel incident involving an Alaska Air Max 9. As the largest Max 9 operator, United is experiencing setbacks in Max 10 deliveries due to Boeing’s production challenges and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Kirby stated during a JPMorgan investor conference that they have asked Boeing to stop building Max 10s for them and prioritize Max 9 production, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the Max 10 certification timeline.
