Boeing Withdraws Safety Exemption Request Amid Increased Scrutiny

Alaska Airlines Begins Returning Inspected Boeing 737 Max 9 Planes to Service as FAA and NTSB Investigations Continue

Boeing has withdrawn its request for a safety exemption on its 737 Max 7, which would have covered a defect in the plane’s engine de-icing technology that could have led to the engine’s cover falling off. This decision comes in the wake of increased scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators following the mid-flight failure of a Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug on an Alaska Airlines jet.
Alaska Airlines has started to return some of its Boeing 737 Max 9 planes to service after each has been inspected following the mid-flight door blowout incident. The inspection process involves checking the efficacy of door plugs and the bolts holding them in place. The airline aims to complete the inspection work this week.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting separate investigations into the incident and Boeing's production practices. The FAA grounded 171 Max jets with the same plug door design for almost three weeks following the incident.
Boeing and Alaska Airlines are facing lawsuits from passengers who were on the flight during the door blowout incident. The lawsuit alleges that the incident caused fear, distress, anxiety, trauma, physical pain, and other injuries.
Despite the ongoing issues and lawsuits, Boeing's monopoly in the aircraft manufacturing industry may keep its business intact. The company's main competitor, Airbus, has a backlog of orders extending to 2030, limiting the options for airlines looking to place new aircraft orders.