U.S., Nov. 27 -- Boeing's troubled 737 MAX jet could be cleared within weeks to return to European skies after a nearly two-year grounding over two deadly crashes in which 346 people have lost their lives.

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published a proposed Boeing 737 MAX airworthiness directive this week that opens a 28-day public consultation period after which the agency will review the input and then approve the aircraft for flight.

According to EASA, the step signals"its intention to approve the aircraft to return to Europe's skies within a matter of weeks."

The move by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency follows last week's flight clearance for the 737 MAX in the US by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)...