Boeing, FAA begin 777-9 certification flight tests By Reuters

Written by Chandni Shah and Devika Madhusudhanan Nair

(Reuters) – Boeing Co said in an emailed statement that it has begun certification flight testing for the long-delayed 777-9 with the participation of U.S. aviation regulators.

The company said it conducted its first flight Friday night after receiving Type Inspection Approval (TIA).

The case would be a major boost for Boeing (NYSE:), which has been struggling with production and legal issues since the Jan. 5 in-flight panel explosion on one of its 737 MAX planes.

This news was first reported by Air Current.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) declined to comment on specific certification projects, but said, “Typically, this type of thorough process takes several months.”

The 777-9 is part of the 777X project, an upgrade to the 777 widebody jet. The project has been in development since 2013 but has faced several delays, including certification delays.

Type inspection clearance is generally associated with the start of the certification process, which occurs after the FAA has reviewed the technical data. This milestone allows FAA pilots to participate in the flight tests necessary to certify the airplane as operationally sound.

The chairman of Emirates, the aircraft’s biggest customer, said in May that he did not expect certification until the first quarter of 2025.

Boeing says the 777-9 test aircraft will undergo the most rigorous commercial flight testing the company has ever conducted.