Southwest Airlines’ pilot union leaders reckon the Boeing 737 Max grounding could last a full year.
Union officials say it could be February or March before the planes are cleared to fly again.
"On our side, we think we’re looking at maybe February or March," said Jon Weaks, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association.
The union expects new pilot training requirements will take some time to complete, as well as any new pilot checklists and Max-specific safety procedures.
According to Greg Bowen, Southwest pilots union chairman for training, the FAA is mulling several new pilot checklists which relate to the MCAS anti-stall system which has been linked to two fatal accidents.
These alone could take at least one month, he said.
Boeing is still confident the planes will get airborne before the end of the year.
"While the decision is up to the regulators, we continue to work towards return to service of the Max in the fourth quarter of this year," said spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
