Boeing sees critical fix for smallest 737 Max
Boeing Co. is racing to complete a key engineering fix needed to certify the smallest version of its cashcow 737 Max jetliner after a US lawmaker convinced the planemaker not to pursue a safety exemption.
A redesign for the Max
7's engine inlet de-icing feature could be ready within nine months, Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun said Wednesday. The embattled company will devote additional engineers and resources to potentially accelerate the work.
“We'll step up resources, we'll step up whatever testing is required, we will do everything we can” to help get the long-overdue model approved to fly, he said on a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter earnings. Calhoun declined to discuss certification timing, saying that was up to the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The comments offer insight into a critical issue for customers of two yet-to-debut variants of the narrowbody jet the Max 7 and the larger Max 10.
Concerns have grown that those models could face further delays under the intense scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing practices in the wake of the near-disaster on a 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines earlier this month.
Last year, Boeing said the Max 7 could be certified in early 2024 while the Max 10 could be approved by late 2024 or early 2025. Eventually delivering those planes are key pieces of Boeing's plan to generate $10 billion of free cash flow by 2025 or 2026. in its online efforts, technology and store remodels as it aimed to be more competitive with online behemoth Amazon. A company spokeswoman said the discounter hadn't opened a new store since November 2021.
The news comes as the Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain, like many other retailers, is relying more on its physical stores to fulfill online orders and use them as online pickup locations.
Over the next 12 months, the nation's largest retailer plans to remodel 650 stores across 47 states and Puerto Rico.
Its new and remodeled stores will reflect Walmart's new concept, featuring improved layouts, expanded product selections and innovative technology to help workers better support customers and make shopping more convenient, the company said.