Industry EASA declares Boeing 737 MAX for European operations

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has announced, that it has given the green light for Boeing 737 MAX operations in Europe. The modified version of the MAX incorporates software updates, electrical wiring rework and maintenance checks.

Additionally, operations manual updates have been provided a crew training will be mandatory before entering into passenger service. This issued allowance comes shortly after the FAA and Brazilian aviation authorities have approved the aircraft and two years after the worldwide 737 MAX fleet was grounded.

EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said: “We have reached a significant milestone on a long road [...] Following extensive analysis by EASA, we have determined that the 737 MAX can safely return to service. This assessment was carried out in full independence of Boeing or the Federal Aviation Administration and without any economic or political pressure – we asked difficult questions until we got answers and pushed for solutions which satisfied our exacting safety requirements.  We carried out our own flight tests and simulator sessions and did not rely on others to do this for us.

Ky added, that the journey does not stop there. The authority will continue to monitor the 737 MAX operations closely as operations resume. Boeing has also committed to work to enhance the aircraft in the medium term, Ky stated.

In March 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX fleet was grounded worldwide following the second of two accidents within six months. Together, the two crashes claimed 346 casualties. During the period, all parties have been working together to find reasons and solutions.

The crashes were traced to the software MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), which was guided by only one Angle of Attack sensor and which kicked in repeatedly if that sensor malfunctioned. Multiple times, the nose was pushed downwards and led to the fatal crashes.

Regarding the EASA approval, Boeing released: "We will never forget the lives lost in the two tragic accidents. These events and the lessons we have learned as a result have reshaped our company and further focused our attention on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. We continue to work with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, its member states, other global regulators and our customers to safely return the 737-8 and 737-9 to service worldwide."