The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will permit Boeing to issue its own airworthiness certificates for 737 MAX and 787 aircraft starting July 20, 2026. This decision follows a multi-month safety and data review. The agency concluded that Boeing has demonstrated consistent production quality.
The FAA will continue rigorous oversight of Boeing’s production processes, safety management systems, and overall safety culture. This move restores authority revoked for the 737 MAX in 2019. That revocation followed two fatal crashes involving the aircraft. The agency also revoked 787 certification authority in 2022 due to production quality issues. Since then, FAA inspectors had to sign off on each individual aircraft before delivery.
In September 2025, the FAA partially restored this authority through alternating weekly certifications. Full restoration is intended to help Boeing accelerate production and clear a significant order backlog. This transition represents a crucial step in the company's recovery efforts.