FAA Certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10: What It Means for the MENA Carriers

On Tuesday 20 October 2026, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an amended type certificate for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 and an updated production record, authorising Boeing to build and deliver its largest narrowbody aircraft. It follows years of engineering refinements and comprehensive regulatory evaluations. 

“After extensive safety reviews – including thousands of hours of test flights – the team at the FAA is ready to approve this critical aircraft for sale,” said US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. Highlighting the importance of the approval.

Originally due in 2020, the MAX 10 was delayed by safety reviews and technical updates. Following the certification of the MAX 7 in August 2026, this approval completes the 737 MAX family. Boeing holds 1,555 orders for the MAX 10 variant, with first deliveries expected in spring 2027.

Gulf Carriers: Options, Not Orders

The effect across the MENA region will not be immediate. No airline in the Arab world has a firm order for the MAX 10. However, certification puts the aircraft back into order competitions in the region.

Flydubai’s Dilemma

Flydubai previously converted a substantial order for MAX 10s into smaller variants during the long delays. However, the airline signed a $13 bn Memorandum of Understanding in 2025 for 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, plus 75 options, without fixing the mix of 737-8, -9 and -10.

With the MAX 10 finally certified, it must now compete directly against flydubai’s own Airbus A321neo order. Highlighting the competitive parameters, flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said on 19 November 2025 that “The main decision was based on availability. There is no clarity on the [Max 10], and this gives the [A321neo] a head start.” He also said that the A321neo “gives us 50 more seats than the largest Max, and two more hours [of range]”.

Saudia’s 2031 Tender

The approval also introduces a new dynamic in Saudi Arabia, where Saudia Group is preparing a substantial fleet tender for deliveries starting in 2031.  On 7 October, Sanjiv Kapoor, Saudia Group’s executive vice-president for strategy and acting chief executive of flyadeal, said the request for proposals “will start once we have board approval for what will be a substantial order for the two airlines” (Saudia and flyadeal) for deliveries from 2031.

Its last big narrowbody order, in 2024, went to Airbus: 12 A320neos and 93 A321neos. With the MAX 10 now a viable, certified competitor, Boeing can challenge Airbus’s historical dominance in the kingdom’s narrowbody market. 

Qatar’s Cancellation

However, the certification arrived too late for Qatar Airways, which officially cancelled its 2022 order for 25 MAX 10s, plus 25 options, in May 2025 as part of a larger Boeing widebody deal, leaving the airline without firm, direct airline orders for the newly approved jet. It had placed the order during a dispute with Airbus that the two settled in February 2023.

North African Market

Across North Africa, the MAX 10’s formal market entry coincides with fleet renewal programmes. 

Royal Air Maroc’s Open Tender

Royal Air Maroc’s tender for up to 188 aircraft, launched in April 2024, is still open. Its chief executive Abdelhamid Addou said in November 2025 that Boeing, Airbus and Embraer were bidding and that the first aircraft would arrive in 2028. 

The airline wants to grow ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco co-hosts. With the MAX 10 legally cleared to fly, Boeing has a certified high-density option to pitch against Airbus.

EgyptAir Expansion

EgyptAir successfully integrated its first leased 737 MAX 8 in May 2026, marking a natural progression in its fleet. EgyptAir is executing a major growth strategy to expand its fleet to 125 aircraft by 2030 (with a long-term goal of 200 aircraft by 2035).

Aircraft Leasing Firms

Two lessors hold MAX 10 orders, and both already lease MAX 8s to North African flag carriers. SMBC Aviation Capital ordered 60 MAX 10s in July 2026, the single largest order by a lessor, and is the lessor behind EgyptAir’s first 737 MAX. Aviation Capital Group, which holds at least 50, delivered its sixth 737-8 to Royal Air Maroc this month.

Regional Regulatory Reality

Despite FAA approval, Middle East and North Africa authorities, such as the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), must validate the Boeing 737 MAX 10 before it can be registered and operated locally. This requires reviewing FAA safety data against regional standards and performing independent validations for airworthiness certification.

The local authorities can validate the type on the FAA’s data without waiting for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which had not completed its own validation as of 21 October.