Boeing expects clearance of grounded 737 MAX from FAA by year end

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said on Monday that the company expects to get a clearance from US' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume services on its grounded 737 MAX aircraft by the end of this year. The statement, made at an interview with CBS and reported by Xinhua News agency, came just a day after a joint investigation by the FAA and Boeing found that some of the 737 aircraft, including the grounded 737 MAX planes of the world's largest aircraft manufacturer, might have faulty parts on their wings.

The newly discovered issue affects 148 slat tracks produced by a Boeing supplier. The FAA said that a complete failure of a leading edge slat track would not bring down an aircraft, but could damage the plane in flight. Yesterday's development was a further blow to the company trying to return its grounded 737 MAX aircraft to commercial service.

In the interview, Muilenburg did not specify when the U.S. top aircraft manufacturer would get a green light from the FAA but did reiterate that the company has completed a software update for the flight control system. The model 737 MAX came under scrutiny following two deadly plane crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia within six months that claimed the lives of more than 346 people. Investigations are ongoing into both the incidents.

Muilenburg added that the company is working hard to win back the "damaged trust" of the general public who are worried about the air safety of 737 MAX planes in the wake of the two air crashes. 

(With inputs from agencies.)