Boeing resumes 777X check flights after grounding in August

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Boeing (NYSE:BA) resumed testing for its long-delayed 777X widebody jet on Thursday, with the primary flight because the U.S. planemaker grounded the check fleet in August as a result of failure of a key engine mounting construction. 

The grounding got here simply 5 weeks after it had began certification flights for the 777-9 with officers from the U.S. aviation regulator onboard. 

Federal Aviation Administration workers weren’t on board for Thursday’s flight, based on the corporate.  

The 777X is the successor to Boeing’s 777, one of the vital commercially profitable long-haul airliners. The corporate initially deliberate to ship the primary 777X to launch buyer Qatar Airways in 2020. 

First supply of the 777-9 has since been pushed again to 2026, adopted by the smaller 777-8 and a freighter model later within the decade. 

Boeing’s different 777X airline prospects embody Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airways (OTC:SINGY) and Cathay Pacific Airways (OTC:CPCAY). The planemaker has 481 777X orders, together with 170 from Emirates and 60 from Qatar, based on Cirium, an aviation trade analytics firm.  

Boeing’s 777-9 check aircraft made a return flight from Boeing Area in Seattle to Moses Lake, Washington on Thursday. 

“We proceed to execute a rigorous check program to show the protection, efficiency and reliability of the 777-9,” Boeing mentioned after it landed within the afternoon.

An organization spokesperson declined to touch upon how the airplane carried out in the course of the flight.