You may have heard that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is going to let aircraft manufacturer Boeing decide for itself whether newly built 737MAX jets are safe to fly without getting regulatory approval to issue airworthiness certificates.
So what’s actually happening here, and why is the change being made now? Let’s take a look at how Boeing is allowed to issue airworthiness certificates in the first place, why that ability was rescinded, and what the FAA will be doing now to make sure Boeing doesn’t cut corners.
How is Boeing able to issue airworthiness certificates?
The aviation industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the world, but it would be impossible for government inspectors to check that every single regulation has been followed before safety and airworthiness certificates can be issued.
As a result, the FAA authorizes trusted individuals and companies to perform certification functions on behalf of the agency. This is referred to as the Organization Designation Authorization program, or ODA for short.
Boeing had ODA authorization to issue airworthiness certificates for its Boeing 737MAX single-aisle jets and widebody 787 Dreamliners, self-certifying that the planes were safe and ready to be delivered.
Why did Boeing have its ODA authorization pulled?
In the wake of two fatal crashes of Boeing 737MAX jets belonging to Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines in late 2018 and early 2019, respectively, the FAA pulled Boeing’s authorization to issue airworthiness certificates for 737MAX planes.
At the time, this was part of a much wider worldwide grounding of all Boeing 737MAX planes, along with a recertification program that stretched on for 20 months.
Since returning to service, however, the FAA has continued to use its own inspectors to issue airworthiness certificates for factory-fresh 737MAXs.
Then, in 2022, the FAA also pulled Boeing’s authorization to issue airworthiness certificates for 787 Dreamliners after serious production control issues were revealed by whistleblowers.
Why is the FAA reinstating Boeing’s ODA authorization now?
Starting on September 29, 2025, Boeing will once again be allowed to issue airworthiness certificates on some 737MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets. The FAA says its decision to reinstate Boeing’s ODA authorization followed “a thorough review of Boeing’s ongoing production quality.”
Boeing won’t be issuing airworthiness certificates for every 737MAX and 787 Dreamliner. Instead, Boeing and the FAA will take turns on a weekly basis to inspect and issue airworthiness certificates.
What will the FAA inspectors do now?
The FAA doesn’t just plan to leave Boeing to it on weeks that the aircraft manufacturer is allowed to issue airworthiness certificates. In fact, the agency says part of the reason for reinstating Boeing’s ODA authorization is so that inspectors can spend more time carrying out surveillance on the aircraft production process.
In a statement, the agency said “there will be more FAA inspectors observing critical assembly stages, examining trends, ensuring Boeing mechanics are performing work to approved type design and engineering requirements, and assessing all activities for Boeing’s continuous improvement of its Safety Management System.”
“Inspectors will also observe Boeing’s safety culture, ensuring that Boeing employees can report safety issues without fear of retribution.”
