DALLAS, KOMPAS.com – Boeing’s 737 MAX series jets have resumed flight tests after a 20-month ban. The flight test was successfully completed using American Airlines commercial services, Wednesday (2/12/20).
Launch AFPThe promotional flight, which departs around 1610 GMT (09:15 WIT) from Dallas and lands about 50 minutes later in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plane experienced some turbulence along the way.
The 737 MAX jets inflicted losses on Boeing after the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes which claimed a total of 346 lives.
The disasters plunged the aerospace giant into a crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus hitting commercial air travel.
The US Federal Aviation Administration in mid-November allowed the 737 MAX to resume operations following improvements to aircraft and pilot training protocols.
Brazilian authorities have also allowed the 737 MAX to return to flight. Meanwhile European officials are expected to give approval by the end of January 2021. It remains a major mystery to the extent to which China is looking to another MAX.
American Airlines plans initial commercial flights on December 29.
On Tuesday, airline executive Doug Parker and his wife flew on the MAX. This is done to convince consumers that the jet is safe.
“Three more test flights are planned before the first commercial flight,” an American Airlines spokesman told AFP.
Criticism from the victim’s family
FAA chief Steve Dickson described the jet’s recertification process as complete when he officially approved the jet to return to flight.
Dickson himself piloted the test flight and said last month he was 100 percent comfortable with his family flying the jet.
The investigation identified the main causes of the two accidents due to faults in the flight handling system. The system was supposed to prevent the plane from stopping on board but instead forced the nose of the plane down.
The FAA asked Boeing to upgrade the software connected to this system to address the shortage.
Boeing also plans to set up an operations center to monitor MAX flights in real time.
Also read: European Union to Allow Boeing 737 Max to Fly January 2021
However, these efforts are not enough for the families of the accident victims. They viewed American Airlines flights as a “media show,” according to the Clifford Law Office, which represented relatives in the litigation against Boeing.
“Promotion flights were arranged by the American Airlines marketing team simply because the company made the mistake of buying more MAX planes than any other airline,” said Michael Stumo, whose daughter died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash.
“Passengers should avoid this plane because others are safer.”
With 24 MAX planes in its fleet, American Airlines has the second largest number of aircraft, after Southwest Airlines with 34 aircraft.
Customers canceled hundreds of orders for MAX this year. But Boeing could see increased interest if the planes win regulatory approval again.
Boeing shares rose more than five percent on Wednesday, making it the biggest winner in the Dow.
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