The aircraft has been grounded since March last year after two fatal crashes, killing 346 people.

The US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) joint operations evaluation board will now convene at Gatwick, starting on Monday.

It comes after Easa, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, oversaw a number of Max test flights in Canada last week.

The review is expected to run for around two weeks, and is the next key step in efforts to return the Max to service.

“As the next step in its evaluation of the aircraft for return to service, Easa is now analysing the data and other information gathered during the flights in preparation for the joint operations evaluation board (JOEB),” said Easa late last week.

“The JOEB is scheduled to start next week in London, Gatwick, in the United Kingdom.

“Easa has been working steadily, in close cooperation with the FAA and Boeing, to return the Boeing 737 Max aircraft to service as soon as possible, but only once we are convinced it is safe.”

Boeing hasn’t commented on the next steps for the Max’s return to service.