After more than three years of suspension, the Boeing 737 MAX seems ready to return to China. China Southern Airlines might be the first Chinese carrier to resume flight services using the grounded aircraft type several months after conducting test flights.

Are Chinese airlines finally reactivating their 737 MAXs?

Although the Civil Aviation Administration of China approved the return of the aircraft type to service late last year, no local airlines have reactivated their Boeing 737 MAX fleets to date. The supposed lack of interest was further dampened when Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern Airlines placed significant orders for Airbus narrowbodies earlier this year.

And just when it seemed like all hopes were utterly lost for the Boeing narrowbody, MIAT Mongolian Airlines became the first foreign carrier to operate a Boeing 737 MAX 8 and arrive in China. Perhaps taking inspiration from this unusual flight deployment was China Southern, as the Guangzhou-based airline recently unsealed and cleaned three of its 24 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The airline's mechanics and engineers were also working on the aircraft, strongly indicating their possible return to the skies after all.

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Why the sudden, possible return of the MAX?

China is one of the few markets where the Boeing 737 MAX has yet to restart flight services. The absence of the aircraft type from its skies, paired with a critical order for 290 aircraft with a rival manufacturer, and the uncertainty if Chinese airlines will be taking deliveries - these were all signs that the Boeing 737 MAX might never operate in China again. Since China was the first country to ban the MAX in 2020, resumption there holds a certain value too.

However, with China Southern preparing to potentially reintroduce the aircraft type, why now? The possibility could arise from a capacity crunch because airlines have been eager to increase frequencies on domestic and international routes as the year-end festivities approach. China Southern has already risen from 71 to 86 weekly flights on its international routes for October, and the numbers are predicted to rise further in the coming months.

Another possibility could be that Chinese airlines cannot expand on routes by solely relying on a smaller, older fleet without the Boeing 737 MAX forever. And even with the significant Airbus narrowbody order, the production and delivery will still take a few years, especially with the current disruption of global supply chains slowing down the Toulouse-based aircraft manufacturer.

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Bottom line

Given how the Boeing 737 MAX seemed like a lost cause in China, at least for some time, it is appreciated progress to see China Southern uncovering three of its aircraft and preparing them for potential commercial flight resumptions. Hopefully, the aircraft will take off soon, and more Chinese airlines might jump on the bandwagon and gradually restart their own Boeing 737 MAX commercial flights too.

What do you make of China Southern unsealing three Boeing 737 MAXs? Do you think more Chinese airlines will soon follow suit? Let us know in the comments below!

  • China Southern A380 Sunset (1)
    China Southern
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    CZ/CSN
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Beijing Daxing Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1988
  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker