Industry Boeing 737 MAX 9 receives type certification

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the type certificate officially last Friday. Boeing is now eligible to introduce the aircraft into commercial service. Launch customer Lion Air Group will receive its first MAX 9 aircraft very soon, as Boeing already is in the final stages of preparing the delivery.

In March 2017, Boeing started its flight test program for the 737 MAX 9. By giving out the amended type certificate the FAA confirms, that the test program was successful, concerning the airplane´s systems, handling and overall performance.

Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager of the 737 MAX program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: "Our teams built superior capabilities into the MAX 9 and proved them all the way through flight test. We're looking forward to bringing this airplane to market for our valued customers [...] I am proud of the entire team for helping us reach another important development milestone."

Boeing has designed its 737 MAX 9 with a seating capacity of up to 220 passengers in a 3-3 single aisle seating configuration. Compared to its smaller sister, the Boeing 737 MAX 8, the MAX 9 features three additional seat rows to meet the demand of operators, who request more seating capacity. The aircraft is set to have a maximum range of 3,550 nautical miles (6574.6 kilometres) and is equipped with CFM International LEAP-1AB engines.

Overall, Boeing has sold 4,300 737 MAX family aircraft to 93 customers in the world.