Boeing Safety Watch: The FAA has ordered inspections of about 471 Boeing 737 MAX jets after reports of cracks tied to the fuselage “bear strap” area, with the directive taking effect Sept. 10; Boeing says the issue hasn’t been found on the MAX fleet. Fleet & Defense Aviation: Coulson Aviation Canada bought 10 former RCAF C-130H Hercules aircraft, doubling its global C-130H airtanker fleet to 20 as it scales aerial firefighting capacity in British Columbia. Airport Disruption & Ops: Minneapolis-St. Paul faced a ground stop after a regional equipment outage, while the FAA approved staggered parallel landings at San Francisco to ease summer delays starting Aug. 12. Labor & Ground Handling: UNITE HERE Local 11 filed a safety complaint alleging maggots, mold, cockroaches and other unsanitary conditions at LAX-area caterer Flying Food Group. Route Moves: Delta will end its Atlanta–St. Vincent nonstop on Sept. 5; United adds seasonal West Palm Beach–San Francisco service from Nov. 7; Delta also plans a new Seattle–Tokyo Narita route from March 27, 2027. Regulatory/Border: Kuwait customs seized 4,255 Captagon pills from a Syria-bound passenger at Terminal 5. Aviation Growth in Africa: Nigeria and Canada signed an expanded deal enabling direct scheduled flights for the first time, potentially cutting travel time and costs.