Southwest Considers a New Delay in Max’s Return on Regulatory Review
- CEO Kelly sees his airline’s core strategies remaining steady
- Diversifying fleet away from Boeing would face ‘huge hurdle’
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Southwest Airlines Co. is weighing another delay for the return of the 737 Max to its flight schedule as Boeing Co.’s grounded plane awaits approval by aviation regulators.
The airline probably won’t be able to use the Max by the planned date in early March if the flying ban isn’t lifted this month, Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said Thursday. While Southwest has yet to make a final determination, Kelly said the current schedule is at risk after the Federal Aviation Administration this week highlighted the remaining hurdles in the re-certification process.