The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has restored Boeing's authority to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This responsibility was previously revoked following two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which led to intense scrutiny over Boeing’s safety practices. In September, the FAA had allowed Boeing to begin partial issuance of these certificates on a rotating basis with the agency, as part of a measured process toward fully returning the task.

After an eight-month evaluation period, the FAA determined that production quality and safety assessments were consistent whether the certificates were issued by Boeing or the agency itself. Based on these findings, the FAA concluded it is now safe to delegate the full responsibility back to the aircraft manufacturer. This decision marks a significant milestone for Boeing, reflecting renewed confidence from the regulator after years of safety challenges that shook the company and the aviation industry.

Boeing expressed its commitment to continuing its work under FAA oversight to produce commercial airplanes that meet all safety and certification standards. The company emphasized that rigorous compliance and quality will remain central to its manufacturing operations. This regulatory endorsement is critical for Boeing, one of the largest U.S. exporters, as it continues to recover from past incidents and address quality issues at its production facilities.

The FAA’s move comes after a long period of intense safety crises for Boeing, including a near disaster earlier this year when a door plug detached from a 737 Max 9 shortly after takeoff. Restoring Boeing’s ability to self-certify airworthiness could streamline delivery processes going forward and help stabilize the company’s standing with both regulators and customers in the commercial aviation market.