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Southwest Won’t Take On Older Boeing 737s to Cover Max Void
Southwest Airlines Co., which is canceling 150 flights a day as the Boeing Co. 737 Max remains grounded, says it won’t bring back used 737 models to help cover the flying void. (www.bloomberg.com) Ещё...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Southwest is in bed with the FAA over the MAX.. it would be a conflict of interest if SWA made any indication that they felt there is a problem with the MAX aircraft.
"Flight International" had some interesting quotes from Southwest about the process of (someday) returning the 737 MAX to service:
"Once the grounding lifts, Southwest faces the task of bringing into service three distinct groups of 737 Max, [Southwest COO] Van de Ven says. One group includes the 34 aircraft...pulled from service when the grounding took effect. Southwest estimates it may need one to two months to perform maintenance required to bring those aircraft...in storage at Victorville, California to operational readiness."
Another group includes 737 Max already produced and stored by Boeing, but not yet delivered. The [third] group includes aircraft that will be delivered normally from...the production line [after the type is cleared to resume flying again]."
"Once the grounding lifts, Southwest faces the task of bringing into service three distinct groups of 737 Max, [Southwest COO] Van de Ven says. One group includes the 34 aircraft...pulled from service when the grounding took effect. Southwest estimates it may need one to two months to perform maintenance required to bring those aircraft...in storage at Victorville, California to operational readiness."
Another group includes 737 Max already produced and stored by Boeing, but not yet delivered. The [third] group includes aircraft that will be delivered normally from...the production line [after the type is cleared to resume flying again]."
I’m interested to see how all this plays out. Any more max crashes and Southwest will have to abandon Boeing. I’m sure they have thought of this scenario what if. Alaska flies airbus ex. Virgin southwest may have to jump on over.
I have seen reports that the US Government agencies are unlikely to allow the 737 max back into the skies until January 2020 at the earliest.. Not November this year.. If this turns out to be a valid target it be interesting to see if SWA can last out without some special short term leasing arrangements.
They are pulling out of KEWR in November and moving some of the flights to KLGA.
The FAA hasn't, and won't, set a deadline. They'll let it fly again when they believe it's safe to do so, whenever that is.
Officially yes, you are correct of course..but due to reputations and a world spotlight, I tend to believe the November target is slipping - and SWA has already pushed back their schedules even further to the 5th January... see here
https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/26/8931447/southwest-airlines-leaving-newark-airport-boeing-737-max-grounded
https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/26/8931447/southwest-airlines-leaving-newark-airport-boeing-737-max-grounded
Carriers are doing this to preserve stock value, not because they have in-depth knowledge of the proceedings. It’s like telling everyone on the road trip, “we’re almost there.”