The International Air Transport Association has renewed its call for state aviation safety regulators to work together on getting the Boeing 737 MAX back into service.
The call comes after representatives from more than 40 airlines, safety regulatory authorities, original equipment manufacturers, training organizations and other organizations met for a summit on the crisis in Montreal.
IATA said regulators needed to align technical validation requirements and timelines to ensure the safe re-entry into service of the aircraft.
“The Boeing 737 MAX tragedies weigh heavily on an industry that holds safety as its top priority,” IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac said.
“We trust the Federal Aviation Administration, in its role as the certifying regulator, to ensure the aircraft’s safe return to service.
“And we respect the duty of regulators around the world to make independent decisions on FAA’s recommendations.
“At the same time, aviation is a globally integrated system that relies on global standards, including mutual recognition, trust, and reciprocity among safety regulators.
“This harmonized structure has worked successfully for decades to help make air travel the safest form of long-distance travel the world has known.
“Aviation cannot function efficiently without this coordinated effort, and restoring public confidence demands it.”
The statement came as the FAA again emphasized it would not be rushed into returning the Boeing 737 MAX to service as it confirmed it had uncovered a new “potential risk” in the troubled plane.
READ: More Uncertainty over 737 MAX after FAA identifies new risk
In a statement posted Wednesday evening US time, the FAA said it was following a thorough process “not a prescribed timeline” for returning the MAX to passenger service.
The global 737 MAX fleet has been grounded since March as Boeing works on software changes designed to prevent problems thought to have played a role in two fatal crashes of MAX aircraft.
It remains unclear when the planes will be allowed back in the sky and the FAA in its latest statement repeated its stance that it would lift the prohibition order on the MAX “when we deem it is safe to do so”.
