Boeing 737 Max models expected to win cockpit-system reprieve from Congress

US congressional leaders are poised to exempt two Boeing Co. 737 Max models from a new cockpit requirement that would take effect next week, a victory that would help the planemaker avoid an expensive redesign and potentially lengthy certification delays for the jets.

Lawmakers are expected to include the controversial provision in the so-called omnibus bill expected to be released as soon as Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. The bipartisan legislation is likely to pass within days, giving Boeing a boost as it attempts to finalize approvals of the two remaining models of its best-selling aircraft family.

Under the provision, Boeing wouldn’t have to add a more modern cockpit alerting system, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing the specifics before the bill is released. The language of the bill hasn’t been released and the people warned it could change or be withdrawn. 

The Boeing provision is expected to include additional measures requiring the company to retrofit all Max models with safety features that were recommended by European and Canadian regulators after two fatal Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, two of the people said.

The measure was opposed by family members of crash victims and some legislators who investigated the crashes, but Senator Maria Cantwell crafted the compromise ahead of a Dec. 27 deadline, Bloomberg has reported. Cantwell, the chairwoman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is from Washington state, where the 737 Max is manufactured.

Boeing and key customers, like United Airlines Holdings Inc. Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby, contend that the Max is safe with its existing emergency alerting system and requiring changes to two of the four models would create potentially confusing differences for pilots. The planemaker faced a setback earlier this month when lawmakers failed to include a similar measure in a defense bill extending the certification deadline.

Boeing’s shares rose less than 1% Monday in New York. The spending bill provision was reported earlier by Reuters.