The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max aircraft to detect potential fuselage cracks.
The regulator warned that undetected structural deterioration could compromise airframe integrity, prompting the immediate directive for airlines to conduct thorough checks on their fleets.
This development marks a significant escalation in regulatory oversight for Boeing (BA), coming shortly after the company received final certification for the 737 Max 7 variant.
While the recent certification win had boosted investor confidence and triggered a rally in shares, the new inspection order introduces fresh operational headwinds.
Airlines may need to ground aircraft for extended periods to comply with the FAA’s requirements, potentially disrupting delivery schedules and increasing maintenance costs.
The inspection mandate follows a period of intense scrutiny for Boeing, which has faced multiple challenges including an FBI investigation into security vulnerabilities on a Boeing 747-800 donated by Qatar.