US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing is planning to carry out flight safety tests for its 737 Max aircraft which were earlier grounded after two deadly crashes last year killing 346 people, the media reported.
The Boeing is working together with regulators to carry out the safety test which are set to begin on Monday and are expected to last for three days.
However, even if the safety tests are successful, it will still take months for Boeing to fully bring back the fleet back to service.
The aircraft has been grounded since mid-March last year following two crashes – a Lion Air flight and an Ethiopian Airlines flight – within five months of each other. Back then, the Chicago-headquartered company also reduced production of the 737 MAX from 52 to 42 per month.
The company is working with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other regulators to bring back the Boeing 727 MAX back to service.
Last year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) revealed that it will allow the Boeing 727 MAX aircraft to fly only after Boeing meets four critical conditions.
Firstly, the changes made by Boeing to these aircraft would have to be approved by the agency. Secondly, the agency will carry out a broader review of the design of the critical safety systems on these flights, which was earlier done by the FAA.
Thirdly, the EASA needs to have a clear and detailed understanding of the two accidents and lastly, Boeing must adequately train its flight crews with regard to the changes being made to the aircraft’s software.