Boeing’s 737 MAX cleared for return to service by U.K.’s CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has announced that it will allow UK airlines to operate passenger flights with the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, subject to close oversight. The ban on the aircraft operating in UK airspace will also be removed. The changes come into effect today. It follows similar decisions by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, US Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada. The decision follows the approval of design modifications to the aircraft itself, how it is flown, and to pilot training. This has included modification to the aircraft’s Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System and other key safety changes aimed at preventing further accidents. The CAA has been closely involved in this approval work and the extensive process undertaken by all involved. The CAA is in close contact with TUI, currently the only UK operator of the aircraft, as it returns its aircraft to service. As part of this we will have full oversight of the airline’s plans including its pilot training programmes and implementation of the required aircraft modifications. The removal of the airspace ban will allow foreign operators to fly the Boeing 737 MAX in UK airspace. All airlines, however, will need to go through the necessary steps to return the aircraft to service, including pilot training, so this may result in flights of the type into the UK not being seen immediately.