Alaska Air returns 737 MAX 9 involved in midair blowout to Boeing

ALASKA Airlines said on Friday it has returned to Boeing the 737 MAX 9 plane that in January was involved in a midair door panel blowout.

“They have taken possession of it and the registration has been changed,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said, adding an order for a new 737-10 has also been placed.

Boeing has informed its suppliers there will be a delay in a key production milestone for its 737 jet family by three months, sources told Reuters’ earlier this month.

US investigators on Thursday sanctioned Boeing for revealing details of a probe into the blowout and said they would refer its conduct to the Justice Department, prompting the planemaker to issue an apology. REUTERS