Pilots of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 reported an emergency and returned to Orlando International Airport soon after takeoff March 26, the airline and FAA confirmed.

Identification of in-service issues with the Boeing 737 MAX maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS) flight control law follows a common pattern for newly certified products, and does not signal errors made during the system’s design and risk analysis, FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell told a Senate panel March 27.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has stopped issuing airworthiness certificates for Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

FAA does not want to be the first regulator to lift its Boeing 737 MAX operations ban and is working with other agencies to find consensus on joint approval of the model’s return to service, but the agency is prepared to act alone if the authorities cannot agree, sources with knowledge of the agency’s thinking tell ATW.

France has banned Iranian airline Mahan Air from operating flights in and out of the country, a diplomatic source said.

Boeing is scheduling a meeting in Renton, Washington, on March 27 to update airlines and aviation regulators on its actions to address concerns about the 737 MAX.

The White House in its FY2020 budget request indicated plans to reform the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, opening up a schism between the Trump administration and rural airport operators who depend on the pre-deregulation-era program to make sure carriers continue flying to their communities.

The US DOT's regulatory reform is designed to save billions and end costly rules that do not enhance safety. Europe has stiff protections for passengers.