Sean Duffy addresses Boeing 737 MAX software and aircraft certification

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that he does not currently view a recent software issue affecting the Boeing 737 MAX fleet as a safety concern. The issue, which Boeing reported could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during specific landing scenarios, is being addressed through a software update. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has delayed the certification of the 737 MAX 10 until the issue is resolved, Duffy compared the situation to a routine smartphone update.

Separately, Duffy emphasized the need to accelerate the aircraft certification process to maintain American competitiveness against China. He warned that lengthy approval timelines could discourage investment in new aircraft designs. To address this, the FAA has proposed regulatory changes intended to reduce the time and cost of certifying transport-category aircraft by streamlining common exemptions and special conditions. These changes aim to align US requirements more closely with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to facilitate mutual recognition of products.