China has officially lifted its ban on importing Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a restriction that had been in place for over four years. This became evident after a U.S.-made passenger aircraft was delivered to a Chinese airline. The plane, which arrived in Guangzhou on May 13, marked the first official delivery of a Boeing 737 MAX from the United States since the prolonged suspension, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Bloomberg.
The move indicates a shift in China’s previous policy, which had blocked the import of new 737 MAX jets following two major crashes in 2018 and 2019. Although Chinese airlines gradually resumed flying the aircraft in 2023, purchasing new jets of this model remained prohibited. Now, deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX have officially resumed.
Boeing representatives confirmed the delivery but declined to provide further details. According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft, operating under flight number BOE631, departed from Seattle on May 12 and landed in China the following day. This signifies a full restoration of commercial delivery routes for the aircraft.
Amid ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, the resumption of American aircraft exports holds strategic importance for both nations. Boeing has emphasized its readiness to meet the demands of the Chinese market, one of the world’s largest in terms of passenger traffic. The company currently has over 85 completed Boeing 737 MAX aircraft awaiting shipment to China.
Earlier we wrote that global markets surge after U.S.-China tariff deal.