Qatar Airways is reportedly considering scrapping its order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft due to ongoing delays and design issues with the aircraft’s anti-icing system. The 737 MAX 10, originally expected to be delivered sooner, has faced multiple setbacks, including increased regulatory scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has slowed its development significantly. Boeing now anticipates introducing the MAX 10 in late 2025, though it is widely expected that the aircraft will likely enter service much later in the decade.
The continued delays and uncertainty surrounding the MAX 10 have already led airlines like United Airlines and Virgin Australia to revise their orders, with both carriers opting to swap their MAX 10 orders for the more readily available 737 MAX 8. Qatar Airways, which had initially placed an order for 25 MAX 10s, is now considering following suit, shifting its orders to the smaller MAX 8 model.
This decision highlights the ongoing challenges Boeing faces with the 737 MAX 10’s certification process and its ability to meet deadlines. The delay has raised concerns among airlines, who depend on timely deliveries of aircraft to meet their fleet expansion needs. While the 737 MAX 8 is a proven and operational model, the uncertainty surrounding the MAX 10 has forced several airlines to reassess their plans.
For Qatar Airways, this potential switch reflects the airline’s desire to ensure fleet reliability and to avoid disruptions caused by delayed deliveries. It also underscores the broader impact that ongoing production and certification issues with the MAX 10 are having on global airlines.