Boeing Resumes 777X Certification Flight Tests

Boeing has resumed testing for its long-delayed 777X widebody jet, marking the first flight since grounding the test fleet in August due to critical engine thrust link issues. The company aims to certify the 777X by 2026, significantly behind the original service entry date of 2020, following multiple technical challenges and labor strikes that impeded progress. The 777X program, which has faced scrutiny from the FAA, is now back on track, with Boeing executing a rigorous test program to ensure safety and performance. The lead test aircraft, critical for propulsion testing, has returned to the skies as part of Boeing's efforts to overcome the setbacks it has faced since the aircraft's introduction in 2013. The program includes four test aircraft, each designated for different testing roles, with the successful resumption of flights seen as a crucial step toward future deliveries. Boeing holds 481 orders for the 777X, including significant orders from Qatar Airways and Emirates.