(Reuters) – Boeing Co has begun flight tests of its long-awaited 777-9 jetliner with U.S. aviation regulators on board, the U.S. planemaker said in an emailed statement.
The company said it made its first flight on Friday evening after receiving its Type Inspection Authorization (TIA).
The development is a boost for Boeing (NYSE:BA), which has been battling production and legal issues since a 737 Max flight control panel exploded on Jan. 5.
This news was first reported by Air Current.
The US Federal Aviation Administration did not respond to a Reuters request for comment outside business hours.
The 777-9 is part of the 777X project to update the 777 widebody aircraft. The project has been in development since 2013 but has faced numerous delays, including certification delays.
A type inspection license is typically associated with the start of the certification process, which occurs after the FAA has reviewed the technical data. This achievement allows FAA pilots to participate in the flight tests necessary to certify the aircraft for normal operation.
The chairman of Emirates, the plane’s largest customer, said in May that he did not expect certification before the first quarter of 2025.
Boeing said its 777-9 test fleet will undergo the most comprehensive commercial flight test effort the company has ever undertaken.