The production slowdown rippled throughout the aviation industry. Airlines that had planned major fleet expansions—including Southwest Airlines and United Airlines—were forced to revise schedules and long-term growth strategies as deliveries stalled. Meanwhile, Boeing continued to wrestle with delays affecting its newest aircraft variants, the 737 MAX 7 and the larger 737 MAX 10.
Those aircraft had already encountered years of setbacks tied to certification issues, including concerns involving an engine anti-ice system. With production limits layered on top of existing technical hurdles, Boeing found itself facing mounting financial pressure while competitors, particularly Airbus, capitalized on the company’s inability to deliver new aircraft on schedule.
Southwest Airlines, which serves as the launch customer for the 737 MAX 7, has already informed investors that it does not expect to receive a single MAX 7 delivery this year. The prolonged delays have frustrated both airline executives and Boeing employees who have waited years for the aircraft to receive final approval.
The outlook began to shift following the arrival of a new FAA leadership team under President Donald Trump’s administration. Bryan Bedford, the former Republic Airways CEO nominated by Trump to lead the FAA in 2025, pledged during his confirmation process that restoring public confidence in aviation while maintaining rigorous safety standards would be his top priorities.
Bedford quickly began adjusting the agency’s approach. Rather than keeping Boeing under the previous production ceiling indefinitely, the FAA increased the manufacturer’s monthly production limit from 38 aircraft to 42 before later approving another increase to 47 aircraft per month.
Just as importantly, Bedford made clear that certification timelines now depended primarily on Boeing completing the necessary work—not on unnecessary regulatory delays.
“I don’t think FAA is the roadblock on 7 and the -10 certification,” Bedford said.
Boeing has continued making progress toward that goal. Company officials recently completed flight testing for the 737 MAX 7 ahead of this week’s Farnborough Air Show, a major milestone that many industry observers viewed as a sign that final certification could finally be approaching.
That optimism received another boost during the Farnborough event when Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau addressed reporters about the status of Boeing’s certification efforts.
Speaking publicly, Rocheleau delivered what many inside the aerospace industry viewed as the clearest signal yet that federal approval is imminent. Referring to certification of the 737 MAX 7, he stated it is “literally around the corner.” He also indicated that certification of the larger 737 MAX 10 is expected to follow soon afterward.
Those comments closely mirror recent statements from Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who has repeatedly expressed optimism that the company is nearing the end of its lengthy certification journey.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Ortberg previously told investors.
The FAA has also taken another significant step by restoring Boeing’s authority to self-certify the airworthiness of newly built 737 and 787 aircraft. That authority had been revoked in 2019 following the two fatal 737 MAX crashes that claimed 346 lives and triggered sweeping reforms inside both Boeing and the FAA.
Supporters of the agency’s recent actions argue the changes reflect confidence that Boeing has implemented the manufacturing and quality-control improvements demanded over the past several years. They also contend that allowing the company to move forward after meeting regulatory requirements represents a balanced approach that preserves safety while enabling one of America’s largest manufacturers to regain momentum.
With certification of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 now appearing increasingly close, Boeing, its airline customers, thousands of aerospace workers, and travelers awaiting new aircraft could soon see one of the company’s most difficult chapters finally come to an end.
