American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have yet again pushed back the likely return date for the Boeing 737 Max.
That would mean their grounded jets have stayed idle for almost an entire year.
They extended cancelations until Match 4 and March 6 respectively.
The two airlines had previously earmarked January and February respectively to resume Max flights but this has been looking increasingly over-optimistic .
"What is important is that we give the FAA the time that they need to do their job. Of course we’re here to support them every way that we can," said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly.
The ‘continued uncertainty’ forced Southwest to again postpone Max flights.
"Once the aircraft is certified, American expects to run exhibition flights or flights for American team members and invited guests only, prior to March 5," American said in a release.
Between them the two airlines have 58 Max jets currently sitting idle.
Two crashes just a few months apart in Asia and Africa claimed the lives of 346 people and led to the global grounding.
Boeing says it expects to resume deliveries of 737 Max jets next month even before the planes have been given an official date to fly again.
