The aircraft has been grounded since March following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight on 10 March – the second fatal accident involving the 737 Max in less than five months.

Boeing has been working on a software “fix” to try to solve the problem which is believed to have caused both crashes.

Iata said regulators should “continue to align on technical validation requirements and timelines” for the 737 Max’s return to service. The association also called for “alignment” on additional training required for 737 Max pilots.

Alexandre de Juniac, Iata’s director general and chief executive, said: “We trust the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in its role as the certifying regulator, to ensure the aircraft’s safe return to service, and we respect the duty of regulators around the world to make independent decisions on FAA’s recommendations.

“At the same time, aviation is a globally integrated system that relies on global standards, including mutual recognition, trust and reciprocity among safety regulators.

“Aviation cannot function efficiently without this co-ordinated effort, and restoring public confidence demands it.”

De Juniac made his comments following the second 737 Max Summit in Montreal on Wednesday (26 June), which was attended by more than 40 airlines, safety regulators, training organisations and other industry suppliers.