FAA: Boeing Progressing, But Full Certification Authority Still Requires More Work.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that Boeing is making progress. However, more work is needed to fully reclaim aircraft certification responsibilities. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford made the statement at an industry conference. He noted significant steps in addressing Boeing manufacturing oversight concerns and production breakdowns.

Enhanced Regulatory Scrutiny

Full restoration of the FAA Boeing certification authority remains the goal. This authority is known as Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). ODA allows the manufacturer to perform certain safety functions. The FAA curtailed this authority following past safety incidents. The agency has since maintained a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny. This oversight intensified after the January 2024 Alaska Airlines incident. The FAA grounded the 737-9 MAX fleet after a door plug separated mid-flight.

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker has called this a "permanent change" to oversight. The FAA has increased its presence of safety inspectors on-site. They are now embedded deeper within Boeing's production facilities. This shift moves away from being "too hands off" in the past. The agency is now actively monitoring quality system metrics. This ensures a structured, repeatable approach to managing risk.

Production and Progress Milestones

Boeing has gradually regained some delegated authorities in recent months. For example, the FAA renewed Boeing's ODA program for three years. This renewal became effective on June 1, 2025. This shows some improvement in key performance areas.

Operational improvements have also impacted the 737 Max production increase. Boeing has been cleared to raise the output of its 737 MAX. Production moved to 42 aircraft a month, up from a prior cap of 38. The previous cap was imposed after the January 2024 incident. This 42/month rate is a key recovery milestone for the company. However, the FAA is still evaluating requests to push output higher. Any further expansion is contingent on resolving all quality control issues.

The Path to Full ODA Restoration

Despite the progress, the FAA emphasizes that more work is necessary. The primary focus is on a fundamental cultural shift at Boeing. This shift must prioritize safety and quality over production speed. This is not a quick fix but a long-term project.

Key areas for improvement include:

• Quality Management Systems (QMS): Boeing must implement a robust, systemic QMS. The FAA's audit identified non-compliance in process control.
• Employee Engagement: The company must encourage employees to speak up. This must happen without fear of reprisal or retaliation.
• Supplier Oversight: Boeing needs to boost oversight of its entire supply chain. This includes key partners like Spirit AeroSystems.

Ultimately, the FAA's goal is to return full responsibility for final safety checks to the manufacturer. This will only happen when regulatory compliance progress is verifiable and sustainable. The agency's unwavering scrutiny will continue until that point.

Industry Impact and Global View

The pace of restoring delegated authorities directly affects the global aerospace industry. Airlines worldwide rely on timely aircraft deliveries. Delays in certification for new variants, like the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10, continue to push back delivery schedules. This forces carriers to adjust their fleet and network planning.

International regulators, such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), are also closely watching the situation. Their confidence in the FAA's oversight is critical for global acceptance. The FAA's commitment to enhanced oversight signals a cautious but necessary approach. This ensures safety remains the top priority for the FAA and the global fleet.

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