Southwest pilots say 737 MAX return may be delayed beyond Boeing’s fourth quarter goal

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines pilots predicted on Monday that the grounded Boeing 737 MAX airplane will return to the skies around February, weeks later than Boeing and airlines have projected. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), the union for the airline's pilots, said it believes the aircraft, which was pulled from service in March after two fatal crashes, will likely resume flights in "probably a February time frame." Southwest, United Airlines and American Airlines currently estimate the planes will be available to fly in early January. Boeing said Monday it is "working towards return to service in the fourth quarter." A key step - a certification test flight by Boeing - is not expected until early November

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