Southwest Air Pilots Say Boeing 737 Max May Not Return to Skies Until March
- Carrier says it’s awaiting timeline from planemaker, FAA
- Company gives aviators 60 days to complete refresher training
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Pilots at Southwest Airlines Co., the largest operator of the beleaguered Boeing Co. 737 Max, warned that the grounded plane may not resume commercial flights until as late as March.
The carrier’s internal plans call for the Max to carry its first paying customers 45 to 60 days after U.S. regulators lift a no-fly order on the plane, Greg Bowen, training and standards committee chairman at the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said Monday. Union President Jon Weaks said his “best guess” for the Max’s resumption of commercial service is January at the earliest and March at the latest.