Aviation

Boeing Suspends 777X Flight Tests After Structural Cracks Detected

Boeing’s much-anticipated next-generation widebody, the 777X, is facing new setbacks as the company has been forced to pause flight tests and ground its test fleet.

The disruption follows the discovery of structural damage in one of the boeing 777x aircraft, specifically in a custom part situated between the engine and the airplane structure. On Monday, Boeing announced that it had identified the damage during scheduled maintenance and decided to halt flight tests for the 777X fleet.

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The company has grounded the three other 777-9 test aircraft as a precautionary measure. Although no further flight tests were planned for these aircraft at the moment. Boeing stated that it is replacing the affected part and analyzing the issue to prevent future occurrences.

while compared to a350 vs b777 B 777-9 is 158.9 tons whereas the a350 has 124.65 tons. This means 777x can hold 34 tons more fuel than A350.

The company has already informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its customers, who have placed a total of 481 orders for the b777 x. The grounding of the test fleet raises concerns about potential impacts on the certification and delivery timelines for the 777X.

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Originally slated for delivery in 2025, the program is now approximately five years behind schedule. The 777X, which commenced flight tests with the FAA in July, represents a critical milestone in Boeing’s efforts to advance its next-generation aircraft technology.

The delay in testing comes at a critical time for Boeing, which is still recovering from a safety crisis earlier in the year involving a doorplug blowout. The company’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and other leaders are working to steer Boeing through these challenges as it seeks to rebuild trust and stability.

The 777X program includes both passenger and freighter variants, with significant orders from Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Korean Air. However, no U.S. airline has placed an order for the b777-9 to date. The first delivery of the aircraft, which had recently begun flight tests with the FAA in July, is now anticipated in 2026.

Aviation

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Manufacturing After Seven-Week Strike

In a crucial move for its recovery, Boeing has restarted production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner, about a month after a significant seven-week strike involving 33,000 factory workers came to an end.

This marks a key milestone for the planemaker, which has been facing considerable challenges in recent years, including heavy debt and a series of setbacks.

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According to the report from Reuters, Boeing resumed the production of the 737 MAX jetliner last week, a pivotal step as the company aims to meet the growing global demand for air travel. With over 4,200 orders from airlines, Boeing’s ability to get the 737 MAX production line back in motion is vital for its financial recovery.

Although Boeing had previously planned to restart production earlier, the company faced numerous obstacles that delayed this process. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Mike Whitaker told Reuters on Thursday that while Boeing had not yet resumed production, they had plans to restart by the end of the month.

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The road to this point has been rocky for Boeing. Setbacks such as the tragic fatal crashes of the 737 MAX, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, production safety concerns, and increased regulatory scrutiny have all contributed to delays in the company’s efforts to ramp up production.

The seven-week strike, which involved thousands of Boeing’s factory workers, added yet another hurdle. Despite these challenges, production of the 737 MAX officially resumed on Friday, according to one of the anonymous sources.

Boeing, however, declined to comment on the matter. The planemaker is now focused on reaching its goal of producing 56 737 MAX airplanes per month, a target that has been delayed due to the many issues that have beset the company over the past few years.