Alaska Airlines resumes flights of grounded 737 MAX9 airplanes

Nearly three weeks after being grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a frightening midair blowout of an emergency-door plug on an Alaska Air flight, the 737 MAX 9 is back in service.

Flights of the 737 MAX9 began over the weekend following the FAA’s newly published inspection and maintenance process to address issues with door plug fasteners on the aircraft, based on data from 40 inspections of grounded planes.

The maintenance process, cleared by a Corrective Action Review Board, requires airlines to inspect specific bolts, guide tracks and fittings, visually inspect left and right mid-cabin exit door plugs and components, refit fasteners, and fix any damage found during the inspection.

“This aircraft will not operate until the process is complete and compliance with the original design is confirmed,” the FAA stated.

Alaska Airlines began putting the 737-9 MAX back in the air on Friday, while United Airlines waited until Sunday to resume flying the aircraft again. Alaska Airlines maintains 65 of the planes within their fleet and expects them to return to service within the week.