Boeing's China Deliveries Delayed: Regulatory Hurdles Impact Schedule

Boeing's aircraft deliveries to China have faced delays due to a regulatory review by the Civil Aviation Administration of China regarding batteries in the cockpit voice recorder. The U.S. planemaker is collaborating with Chinese customers to reschedule pending approvals. Boeing has 140 737-8 aircraft in inventory, including 85 for Chinese clients.

Boeing's plane deliveries to China have been delayed in recent weeks due to a Chinese regulatory review of batteries related to the cockpit voice recorder, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The U.S. planemaker said in a statement it is working with Chinese customers on the timing of their deliveries pending a review by the Civil Aviation Administration of China of batteries contained within the 25-hour cockpit voice recorder. In a year-end 2023 filing, Boeing said it had approximately 140 737-8 aircraft in inventory, including 85 aircraft for customers in China. Boeing has delivered 22 aircraft to China in 2024 through the end of April.

Boeing said the Federal Aviation Administration has certified this system.