U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he wants to accelerate certification of new airplanes from Boeing and other manufacturers, warning that China could outpace the United States if approvals remain slow. Certifying a new airplane can take five or more years and requires extensive testing, data and documentation. The Federal Aviation Administration (U.S. aviation regulator) proposed changes in June to modernize and speed certification of commercial aircraft. Duffy said delays could discourage private investment in aviation innovation because approvals may take a decade. The effort could benefit Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier. Boeing’s 737 MAX 7 took more than eight years to certify and was approved in August, while certification of the 777X is more than five years behind the company’s original schedule. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and prior FAA head Mike Whitaker have backed technology and process reforms. The FAA’s planned changes include reducing the number of exemptions, special conditions and equivalent-level-of-safety findings required during certification. Duffy also called for more competition and entrants in commercial space, saying the government is seeking to accelerate innovation there as well.