Key facts
- WestJet has not experienced in-service events related to software under FAA review.
- The FAA is delaying certification of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 due to a software issue.
- Boeing stated the software issue could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario.
- Boeing shares fell 6.3% following the announcement.
- GE Aerospace supplied the software in question.
- Alaska Airlines and United Airlines confirmed their aircraft do not use the affected software.
WestJet announced on Monday that its Boeing 737 MAX fleet has not experienced any in-service issues related to a software problem currently under review by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA stated it would delay the certification of Boeing's 737 MAX 10 aircraft until the issue is resolved. Boeing disclosed on Saturday that a software glitch could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario. The company is developing a software update to address the problem.
Boeing shares fell 6.3% on the news, as the MAX 10 is a crucial model for the company's efforts to compete with Airbus. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that the software was supplied by GE Aerospace and suggested a fix might be developed quickly, though he could not estimate the timeline.
Bedford clarified that pilots maintained control of the aircraft despite the bug, unlike in previous 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. The FAA plans to convene a Corrective Action Review Board to investigate the issue. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines confirmed that their aircraft do not currently use the affected software version, with United stating it would not accept deliveries of planes equipped with it.