The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday approved the smallest model of Boeing’s Max jetliners for commercial service nearly a decade after the aircraft manufacturer first unveiled the plane.

Certification of the Boeing 737 Max 7 represents a milestone in the company’s work to overcome years of safety, quality and production challenges. The long-delayed Max 7 is part of Boeing’s 737 family of commercial jets, which is the company’s bestseller and has been at the center of its troubles.