Global aviation authorities knew last Monday that this patch was coming and decided to ground the 737 MAX anyway, disregarding the FAA's view that the aircraft was airworthy. It is to avoid these types of global certification hurdles that regulators have worked together over the years to harmonize rules and build trust. Efforts to harmonize these independent codes, in support of a global aviation infrastructure that relies on cross-border operations and a global supplier base, have been ongoing. While each regulatory body retains sovereignty, the focus has been on fostering a global regulatory framework that makes aviation safety work for everyone, from manufacturers to airlines and to passengers. That strain is now reflected in the broader fabric of global aviation regulatory reform as individual civil aviation authorities refuse to take the FAA at its word.

Source: Forbes March 19, 2019 15:43 UTC