Boeing (NYSE:BA) shares flew a little higher on Thursday as the airplane giant moved a little closer to getting its 737 Max jets off the ground.
The Max has been grounded since March last year after two horror crashes within five months of each other, which killed 346 people.
READ: Boeing posts net loss for second straight quarter, unveils plans to cut its workforce by about 10%
US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have on Wednesday completed the required re-certification flight tests on the 737 MAX, moving it closer to FAA approval to return to service.
During three days of testing, FAA pilots and engineers reportedly evaluated Boeing’s proposed changes to the automated flight control system, which was implicated in the two crashes.
"The agency is following a deliberate process and will take the time it needs to thoroughly review Boeing’s work," the FAA said Thursday. "We will lift the grounding order only after FAA safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards."
Boeing shares gained 0.67% on Wall Street to stand at US$181.53 each.
In London, the stock ticked up 0.11% to stand at 181.24p.