UPDATE: Disputing internal reports at United Airlines, the FAA has indicated that it has not given the green light for United Airlines to restart certification activities.
“The FAA has not approved any expansion of United Airlines’ routes or fleets.”
The FAA added that United’s mandatory participation in the Certificate Holder Evaluation Program “is ongoing and safety will determine the timeline for completing it.”
United has thus far not explained why its earlier communication suggested that it had been to cleared to resume such activities.
The original story, published on May 16, 2024, is below.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given United Airlines the green light to restart new aircraft certification and to launch new routes in a major step forward for the carrier.
United Airlines Will Restart Certification Activities, Including New Aircraft And Routes
In March, after a string of unrelated maintenance-related incidents made headlines around the world, the FAA decided to take “an even closer look at multiple areas” of United’s operations. In a memo to employees at the time, United suggested a “variety” of certification activities would be suspended for an unspecified period of time:
As part of this effort, the FAA will also pause a variety of certification activities for a period of time. Those activities will differ depending on the work group and we will learn more from the FAA about that soon.
It was later revealed that the pause of certification activities included new aircraft deliveries and new routes.
But that suspension will now be lifted. A note to employees that went out yesterday evening and was reviewed by Live And Let’s Fly notes that United has been cleared to “begin the process of restarting our certification activities.”
Today, we got some good news: after a careful review and discussion about the proactive safety steps United has taken to date, our FAA Certificate Management Office has allowed us to begin the process of restarting our certification activities, including new aircraft and routes, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the FAA.
Of course “begin the process of restarting our certification activities” could be a very different matter than saying United can now restart certification activities effective immediately. But a source inside United tells Live And Let’s Fly that the suspension has been effectively lifted.
This news, however, does not mean that the increased FAA presence will disappear:
Importantly though, our work with the FAA continues. There is more work to do, and we remain open to their perspective on things that can make us an even safer airline. That means we will continue to see an FAA presence in our operation as they review our work processes, manuals and facilities.
The work continues.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines will soon be able to certify aircraft and launch new routes once again after a two-month pause. Even so, the FAA will continue to exercise increased scrutiny over United’s operations for the foreseeable future.
> Read More: United Airlines Faces Increased Government Oversight, Certification Delays
image: United Airlines
@ Matthew — Who’s premium, now?! 😉 World’s biggest operator of POS 767s or world’s only operator of Polaris?
Is this why UA canceled LAX to Brisbane and Auckland routes?
FAA LACKS the expertise to competently do the job they’re supposed to do! They operate totally through fear of being called out and “blamed” for that incompetence. It’s a big reason why they won’t certify the 737-10 MAX and 777X aircraft. FAA is the most incompetent agency in government, and that’s with PLENTY of competition for that title!
I recently experienced United Airlines Frst class flight between Washington DC and Athens Greece. It was flawless.
FAA is saying it has not authorized United anything! Someone is lying
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/faa-allows-united-airlines-restart-certification-activities-2024-05-16/
I’m fascinated by Ben at OMAAT pontificating that UA has many Captains in their 20’s flying wide bodies. And we wonder how hysteria spreads?
I am thinking UA is the bad party here. Having delt with them in the past as a client of mine, they are about the most disfunctional group I’ve ever worked with and dishonest with the vendors as well as their employees. Culture of Lying, not flying!