United Airlines said Thursday that it will continue the process of certifying newly delivered aircraft and new routes. The airline suspended both operations in recent months as the Federal Aviation Administration conducted a review of the airline’s operations amid a series of incidents that raised safety concerns.
In a memo to employees, the airline said the FAA will allow United “to begin the process of restarting our certification activities, including new aircraft and routes.”
In response, the FAA clarified that it has not yet fully approved the airline to add any new aircraft or routes.
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“The certificate holder review program that the FAA is conducting for United is ongoing and the safety division will determine a timeline for completing that program,” the agency said. They noted that they will require FAA personnel to participate in the final inspection of new aircraft — something airlines were previously allowed to complete independently.
Still, the memo shows United is making progress in getting through the agency’s review process. The airline noted that it is continuing to “coordinate closely” with regulators as it begins the initial steps needed to restart the process of certifying additional fleet and network operations.
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“It is important that our work with the FAA continues,” the memo said. “There is more work to be done and we remain open to their views on what can make us an even safer airline. That means we will continue to see of the FAA in its operations as they review our work procedures, manuals, and facilities.”
FAA increased scrutiny of United in March after several high profile incidents raised safety concerns surrounding the airline. This all comes amid more safety concerns about Boeing aircraft after a door plug fell off the jet during an Alaska Airlines flight; the incident caused rapid decompression and left a gaping hole in the fuselage of the plane as it returned to Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX).
Some reported incidents are routine or routine maintenance issues that arise on flights around the world every day and do not pose a safety risk. However, some are more notable. This included a tire falling from a Boeing 777 during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). No one involved in the Alaska Airlines flight or other incidents was injured.
The FAA’s review involves pausing various certification activities at United – including those that must be completed whenever the airline begins operations to a new destination or takes aircraft New aircraft delivered and put into use. Some Previously announced new routes have been delayed The result is, for example, the new service to Faro, Portugal.
