Boeing has confirmed it will resume issuing airworthiness certificates for its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft from next week, signalling a potential easing of the production and delivery bottlenecks that have plagued the US manufacturer for much of the past year.
The company stated that it has completed additional quality assurance protocols required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is now in a position to restart the certification process. Deliveries of both models had been paused since late 2025 after a series of manufacturing defects were identified, including improperly torqued fasteners on the 787 and a rudder control issue on the 737 MAX.
The announcement comes as a relief to airlines that have been forced to adjust schedules and delay fleet expansion plans. In the UK, British Airways operates a substantial fleet of 787 Dreamliners on long-haul routes, while Virgin Atlantic also relies on the type for transatlantic services. Ryanair, a major European customer for the 737 MAX, has been vocal in its frustration over delivery delays.
Analysts at Jefferies noted that the resumption of certificate issuance is a positive signal for Boeing's supply chain and for the wider aerospace sector, but cautioned that the pace of deliveries will depend on how quickly the FAA clears individual aircraft. 'This is a step forward, but the backlog remains substantial and it will take several quarters to normalise output,' the note said.
For UK investors, the news offers a glimmer of hope for the aerospace and travel sectors. Shares in Rolls-Royce, which supplies engines for some Boeing aircraft, edged higher on the announcement, while British Airways parent IAG saw modest gains. However, the broader FTSE 100 remained flat as markets digested mixed economic data from the UK and US.
The resumption of deliveries is also likely to have implications for aircraft leasing companies such as Avolon and AerCap, both of which have significant exposure to Boeing's widebody and narrowbody programmes.