In an effort to ensure the smooth return of its 737 MAX, Boeing is reportedly hiring 160 pilots to incorporate in airlines. 

Newly hired Boeing 737 pilots would reportedly work as instructors or cockpit observers at various airlines for the period of 35 days, reported Reuters. The pilots would be paid an equivalent annual salary that could reach $200,000. The program could potentially cost the company a total of $32 million.

The newly hired pilots will have to match the requirement of having 1,000 hours of instructor experience, no previous incidents or violations and be licensed on the 737 or other Boeing jets. 

CCL Aviation is the company responsible for hiring the pilots on behalf of Boeing, according to Reuters.

The move is part of a wider program to support Boeing customers on all commercial models as well as bring back the trust in the recently ungrounded 737 MAX. It includes 24/7 surveillance of 737 MAX flights around the world to ensure real-time monitoring and rapid problem resolution. Boeing also has prepared documents to be used by the airlines and its flight attendants to discuss aircraft safety with the passengers. 

“We continue to work closely with global regulators and customers to safely return the 737-8 and 737-9 to service worldwide,” Boeing told the BBC in a statement.

Boeing 737 MAX returns to service after a safety ban of 20 months. In March 2019, the aircraft was grounded worldwide following two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people.

On December 9, 2020, Brazil’s GOL Airlines completed the very first passenger flight with its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) reauthorized the operation of grounded aircraft in Brazilian airspace on November 25, 2020. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States ungrounded the Boeing 737 MAX on November 18, 2020. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has not yet cleared the plane for a return to service.