The FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are in the final stages of certifying the Boeing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants, clearing the path for commercial deliveries to begin in 2027. Regulators provided the update on June 17, 2026, during a safety conference in Chantilly, Virginia, signaling the end of a long-delayed approval process for the final two models of the 737 MAX family.

According to Reuters, the MAX 7 is on track to receive FAA certification in the summer of 2026, with the larger MAX 10 expected to follow before the end of the year. The regulatory progress allows The Boeing Company to stabilize its production system and prepare to fulfill extensive order backlogs for major launch customers, including Southwest Airlines (WN) and United Airlines (UA).

Certification progress and technical milestones

The certification timeline has accelerated following the resolution of a key technical hurdle. Reuters reported that Boeing successfully addressed the engine anti-ice system redesign, an issue that had previously pushed FAA approval for both variants into 2026. With that engineering challenge resolved, the aircraft have completed approximately 80 percent of their flight-test programs.

The manufacturer does not require any further Type Inspection Authorizations to proceed. EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet noted the positive momentum during the Chantilly conference. He stated that the agencies are making excellent progress on closing out final actions, adding that completing the process soon will allow the industry to move forward.

Production rate increases and regulatory relations

As certification nears, Boeing is scaling up its manufacturing output. The company recently passed an FAA capstone review, which permits an increase in the 737 MAX production rate from 42 to 47 aircraft per month. Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed the milestone on May 27, 2026, noting that the Everett assembly line is now transitioning to the 47-jet monthly rate in preparation for 2027 deliveries.

The coordinated progress between US and European regulators highlights a shift in international aviation oversight. Following years of heightened scrutiny and tension stemming from the 2018 and 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crashes, relations between the FAA and EASA have stabilized. Guillermet recently characterized the two agencies as trustful partners, reflecting a more unified approach to certifying Boeing’s final MAX variants.

AirPro News analysis

We view the synchronized messaging from the FAA and EASA as a critical indicator of regulatory alignment. The explicit timeline for summer and late 2026 certifications suggests that the technical data packages submitted by Boeing have met the stringent requirements imposed after previous MAX groundings. For Boeing, achieving the 47-aircraft monthly production rate is just as vital as the certifications themselves. The manufacturer must demonstrate it can scale operations safely to meet the delivery expectations of Southwest and United in 2027 without triggering further regulatory intervention.

Sources: Reuters

Airbus SE and Deutsche Lufthansa AG formalized a new component services agreement for the airline’s Airbus A220 fleet during the ILA Berlin Air Show on June 10, 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of their commercial partnership.

The agreement, detailed in a Lufthansa Group press release, coincides with the European manufacturers preparing to deliver its 700th aircraft to the German airline group later this year. The half-century relationship began in 1976 with the delivery of Lufthansa’s first Airbus A300, establishing a foundation that has seen the carrier take delivery of more Airbus Commercial-Aircraft than any other operator globally.

Fleet expansion and the 700th delivery milestone

The upcoming Delivery of the 700th Airbus aircraft, scheduled for late 2026, highlights a sustained period of fleet renewal for the Lufthansa Group. In May 2026, the operator expanded its long-haul commitments by placing a firm Orders for 10 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

This recent acquisition brings Lufthansa’s total A350 order book to 75 airframes, which includes the upcoming A350-1000 variant. The Airlines currently operates 43 A350-900s across its global network.

“Today, we are working together towards the delivery of the 700th aircraft for the Lufthansa Group which is scheduled for later this year. This major milestone is just one example of how Airbus and Lufthansa jointly worked on making aviation one of the key industries for Germany,” said Lars Wagner, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.

Strategic agreements and ILA Berlin presence

Beyond the ceremonial milestones at the ILA Berlin Air Show, the two aviation companies signed new strategic cooperation agreements. Central to these is a comprehensive component services contract covering Lufthansa’s entire Airbus A220 fleet, ensuring long-term maintenance and parts support for the narrowbody aircraft. The partners also reaffirmed joint commitments to sustainable aviation initiatives, building on previous collaborations such as the deployment of the drag-reducing SharkSkin aircraft coating.

Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr emphasized the historical depth of the collaboration, noting the airline’s role as a launch customer for numerous Airbus models developed in Toulouse and Hamburg.

“We intend to build on this foundation together to further advance aircraft technology and expand Europe’s leading role in the aviation sector,” Spohr stated.

The anniversary was visually commemorated at the air show with a Lufthansa Airbus A320neo, registered D-AING, featuring a special 100th-anniversary livery. The aircraft displays an oversized crane logo on a blue fuselage, celebrating the centennial of the original Lufthansa airline’s founding.

AirPro News analysis

We view the 50-year milestone as more than a ceremonial marker; it underscores the deeply intertwined industrial strategies of Airbus and the Lufthansa Group. By securing a comprehensive component services agreement for the A220 fleet, Airbus continues to expand its footprint in the lucrative aftermarket sector, ensuring revenue streams that extend decades beyond the initial airframe delivery. Lufthansa’s consistent role as a launch customer and its steady stream of widebody orders, including the recent top-up of A350-900s, provides Airbus with critical production stability in the twin-aisle market. The relationship remains a foundational pillar for European aerospace manufacturing.

Sources: Lufthansa Group

Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) has relocated its global headquarters to a modernized facility in Newport Beach, California, upgrading the corporate footprint of the largest full-service aircraft lessor headquartered in the Americas.

In a press release issued on June 15, 2026, the company confirmed its move to the 16th floor of 520 Newport Center Drive. The transition keeps ACG in the city where it was founded in 1989, while shifting operations to a LEED Gold and ENERGY STAR certified building designed to support the lessor’s broader sustainability initiatives.

Maintaining a Newport Beach legacy

The relocation marks the first major headquarters move for the Tokyo Century Corporation subsidiary since it occupied its previous office space in 2014. While the company maintains a significant international presence with offices in Miami, Dublin, and Singapore, executive leadership emphasized the strategic and historical importance of remaining in Southern California.

“As the largest full-service aircraft lessor headquartered in the Americas, our relocation to 520 Newport Center Drive marks an exciting next chapter for ACG. This move gives our team a workplace that supports how we work today, while positioning us for the next phase of growth and reinforcing our continued commitment to serving airline customers around the world.”

Thomas Baker, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACG, noted in the release that Newport Beach remains central to the company’s identity despite its global reach. As of March 31, 2026, the lessor’s portfolio included approximately 500 owned, managed, and committed aircraft leased to roughly 90 airlines across 50 countries.

Fleet expansion and financial restructuring

The headquarters relocation follows a series of major financial and operational moves by ACG during the first half of 2026. On June 10, 2026, the company announced the amendment and restatement of its senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The agreement extended the final maturity date of the $3.1 billion facility from June 2028 to June 2030, securing long-term liquidity for future aircraft acquisitions.

That financial runway supports an aggressive delivery schedule. On January 13, 2026, ACG finalized a firm order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets, split evenly between the Boeing 737-8 and Boeing 737-10 variants. The transaction increased the lessor’s total Boeing 737 MAX order book to 121 aircraft.

Deliveries from that backlog are actively entering service. On March 31, 2026, ACG handed over the first of six new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Royal Air Maroc, with the remaining five airframes scheduled for delivery to the North African carrier through the end of 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We view ACG’s headquarters relocation as a physical manifestation of its recent stabilization and growth strategy. By securing a $3.1 billion credit extension just days before announcing the move, the lessor has effectively locked in both the capital and the corporate infrastructure required to manage its expanding 121-aircraft Boeing 737 MAX backlog. Upgrading to a LEED Gold facility also aligns with the increasing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting requirements demanded by global financial institutions backing the aviation leasing sector.

Sources: PR Newswire, Aviation Capital Group