EU agency said to have skipped 737 Max meeting in snub to Boeing

There was a prominent no-show among the 200 regulators, pilots and airline managers that Boeing invited to preview a crucial software update for the 737 Max this week, said people familiar with the matter: European safety officials. The planemaker is sending a team across the Atlantic to brief the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on the proposed changes after two of the jetliners plunged to the ground within five months, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Intentional or not, EASA’s snub points to the delicate politics Boeing faces in convincing regulators the Max is safe as the company seeks to restore confidence in its best-selling jet, which has been grounded for more than two weeks. The reputation of US regulators has taken a hit in the scrutiny of the 737 Max's approval process, and foreign agencies are less likely to rubber-stamp aircraft certifications simply because they have been cleared by the FAA. EASA is expected to play an influential role in determining how long and complicated the review of the Max will be, while safety officials from China to Canada have vowed to conduct their own rigorous analysis. “EASA’s determination should be important for the rest of the world, given its sophistication and perceived independence,” said Seth Seifman, analyst with JPMorgan Chase, in a note to clients. “We had productive information sessions this week and continue to work closely with our customers and regulators on software and training updates for the 737 Max,” a Boeing spokesman said.<br/>