FAA Restores Boeing’s Authority to Certify 737 MAX and 787 Jets

SEATTLE- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is restoring Boeing’s authority to issue airworthiness certificates for new 737 MAX aircraft and selected 787 Dreamliner jets produced near Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

The decision follows years of direct FAA oversight after two fatal crashes involving Lion Air (JT) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET), raising questions about how certification authority is being shared between Boeing and regulators.

Boeing 737 MAX Winglet; Photo-Aka The Beav | Wikimedia Commons

FAA’s Certification Oversight and Boeing’s Role

The FAA manages one of the most tightly regulated aviation frameworks in the world. To handle certification efficiently, it uses the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program.

Under ODA, trusted manufacturers can issue airworthiness certificates on behalf of the FAA if they meet stringent compliance requirements.

Boeing previously held ODA privileges for both the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner, allowing it to self-certify aircraft before delivery. However, these privileges were suspended after high-profile safety failures and production lapses.

Reported by PYOK, these suspensions marked a turning point in how Boeing’s safety culture was evaluated.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Why Boeing Lost Its Certification Privileges

The FAA revoked Boeing’s ODA authority for the 737 MAX after two crashes in late 2018 and early 2019 killed 346 people, leading to a worldwide grounding that lasted 20 months.

During this time, the FAA assumed direct responsibility for certifying every new 737 MAX aircraft before delivery.

In 2022, the FAA also withdrew Boeing’s certification authority for the 787 Dreamliner after whistleblowers revealed quality control issues in the production process. This forced Boeing to undergo stricter inspections and delay customer deliveries.

Beginning September 29, 2025, Boeing will regain partial ODA authorization for the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner. According to the FAA, the reinstatement follows “a thorough review of Boeing’s ongoing production quality.”

The process will not be a full handover. Instead, the FAA and Boeing will alternate weekly in issuing airworthiness certificates. This ensures Boeing resumes responsibility while maintaining direct FAA involvement.

Continued FAA Oversight

FAA inspectors will remain deeply engaged in Boeing’s production lines. On weeks when Boeing issues certificates, the FAA will conduct surveillance, focusing on:

• Monitoring critical assembly stages
• Verifying compliance with approved type design standards
• Assessing Boeing’s Safety Management System
• Ensuring mechanics follow engineering requirements
• Reviewing Boeing’s internal safety culture

The FAA has emphasized that employees must be free to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation, a key condition for rebuilding trust in Boeing’s oversight system.

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