FAA nod propels Boeing's 777-9 into fourth certification stage, Air Current reports
March 18 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration has permitted Boeing BA.N to continue advancing its long-delayed 777-9 jet into the fourth phase of certification testing, the Air Current reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The report comes a day after Boeing CFO Jay Malave said at an investor conference that the company had secured approval for the third stage.
"There are two more that we need to get approval for, and we're waiting for the next one very shortly here," Malave said.
The 777-9 is the first model of Boeing's long-delayed new 777X jet, for which the planemaker has taken $15 billion in charges on the development program, which is six years behind schedule.
The 777X succeeds the 747 and 777 and, alongside the 787 Dreamliner, makes up Boeing's widebody lineup for long-haul travel.
