Aviation

China delays restart of Max 737 deliveries as Boeing hit by raft of safety issues

Decision was taken after one international airline customer discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance on the model

Boeing has been largely shut out of China’s aviation market this decade, having not handed over any of its 737 Max planes directly to the country since 2019. Picture: Getty

China’s aviation regulator has temporarily halted the restart of 737 Max jet deliveries to the nation, according to a person familiar with the matter, as Boeing Co grapples with a raft of safety issues.

The decision to delay the resumption of 737 Max deliveries was made after Boeing in late December recommended inspections following the discovery by one international airline customer of a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance, the person said.