The Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA
) has finished its audit of United Airlines and its operations, affirming that it had found no significant safety issues.
No significant issues
In a statement to Simple Flying, an FAA spokesperson said that the regulator has finished its Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP) of United Airlines.
“The review did not identify any significant safety issues.”
When contacted by Simple Flying, the airline’s spokesperson referred back to the FAA.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
According to the regulator’s website, the Certification and Evaluation Program Office was responsible for any CHEP audits, which provided,
“[…] Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) and certificate holding district offices (CHDO) with staff support, expert technical guidance, and training in the certification process using the Certification Process Document (CPD) for part 121 air carrier applicants, and major changes to an existing certificate holders’ Operations Specifications using the Major Change Process Document (MCPD).”
In addition, the office was also responsible for managing the National CHEP, which evaluates part 121 air carriers, part 145 repair stations, and part 135 non-scheduled charter operators for regulatory compliance on a five-year schedule.
Previously, the FAA had cleared United Airlines to launch new routes and add aircraft with close oversight.
While the carrier initially told its employees that the airline was now able to take deliveries of aircraft on May 15, the FAA proceeded to deny that it had cleared the carrier to do so. Eventually, the regulator gave the green light for United Airlines to expand its operations in late-May.
United Airlines’ fleet growth
According to ch-aviation data, United Airlines has taken delivery of 28 new aircraft since May 1, which includes seven Airbus A321neo
and 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8
s.
The airline took delivery of one 737 MAX 8 during the strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 751 and District W24, which began on September 13.
Photo: Airbus
The site’s fleet records showed that Boeing delivered the 737 MAX 8, registered as N17356, on September 24. However, the aircraft’s first flight was on June 12.
According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft sat dormant at Victorville Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) between June 12 and July 18.
Negotiations between Boeing and the two IAM District Lodges broke down on September 27.
In 2024, the airline added 39 new aircraft to its fleet: 11 A321neo, 25 737 MAX 8, and three 737 MAX 9, ch-aviation data indicated.
Auditing after a string of incidents
The FAA had initiated its audit of United Airlines in late March, taking the decision to do so after several incidents involving the airline’s aircraft, including a Boeing 757 losing engine power, a Boeing 737 engine failure, and stuck rudder pedals on a 737 MAX 8, which resulted in the National Transportation Board (NTSB) urging quick action to address the issue on all 737 aircraft.
Photo: NTSB
In one event, a United Airlines 737 MAX 8 slid off the runway at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) after the pilots misjudged the airport’s wet runway to be dry.
