ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — Today, Boeing announced that 11 Chinese airlines have recommenced operating the 737 MAX as of April 10, marking a positive development for the U.S. aircraft manufacturer's efforts to reestablish its business in the world's second-largest aviation market.
With these airlines, the total count of 737 MAX planes returning to commercial service has reached 43, representing around 45% of China's 737 MAX fleet, according to the company's official WeChat account post.
The top-selling Boeing model was grounded in March 2019 following deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, but it resumed service globally starting in late 2020 after aircraft modifications and pilot training updates.
China is the final major market to reintroduce the MAX, in the context of ongoing trade disputes with the United States and as domestic travel demand recovers following China's abandonment of zero-COVID policies.
Foreign carriers started operating the MAX Family jets in China from October 2022. In January, China Southern Airlines conducted the model's first passenger flight in the country in nearly four years, flying from Guangzhou to Zhengzhou.
Boeing did not disclose the 11 airlines' names, but carriers like Hainan Airlines , Fuzhou Airlines, Lucky Air, and Air China have utilized their 737 MAXs in recent months for scheduled commercial flights.
Additionally, the U.S. planemaker revealed it has enhanced a 737 MAX flight training device in Shanghai to support pilot training.Sherry Carbary, President of Boeing China, stated, "The move reaffirms our commitment to our civil aircraft customers in China." She added, "The equipment upgrade allows us to further enhance our support for Chinese 737 MAX customers as they expand the aircraft's operations in and around China."
