India grounds Boeing 737 Max 8 in the aftermath of Ethiopian Airline crash
New Delhi: Days after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed killing all 157 passengers on board a Boeing 737 MAX 8, the same type of the aircraft has been grounded by India as a safety meaure following the footsteps of several other nations, the civil aviation ministry said late on Tuesday. India, earlier, had decided not to ground the planes but had issued some precautionary measures for flying the same.
"DGCA has taken the decision to ground the Boeing 737-MAX planes immediately. These planes will be grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations," the Civil Aviation Ministry tweeted late in the night.
"As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety," it said.
As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety. (2/2)
— Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) March 12, 2019
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had earlier met senior officials of India's aviation safety watchdog DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on Monday. He reportedly had asked them to make safety assessment of Boeing 737 MAX planes operated by various domestic airlines.
Directed officials of DGCA to undertake safety assessment of Boeing 737-MAX (being flown by domestic carriers). Safety of the passengers is our utmost concern. Directed Secretary and DGCA to take appropriate action immediately.
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) March 11, 2019
DGCA said earlier: at present, two Indian carriers, M/s Spicejet (12 aircraft) and M/s Jet Airways (5 aircraft) have these aircraft in their fleet.
USA not grounding 737 MAX
In USA, its federal aviation officials said they still consider the Boeing 737 MAX planes airworthy.
"External reports are drawing similarities between this accident and the Lion Air Flight 610 accident on October 29, 2018," the Federal Aviation Administration said in its notice. "However, this investigation has just begun and to date we have not been provided data to draw any conclusions or take any actions," they have been quoted saying on CNBC.
Some nations suspend operations:
China asked its domestic airlines to suspend the operations of Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Indonesia said it is grounding all 11 jets of the same aircraft type.
Countries like South Korea, Mongolia are also following the ways to ground the planes.
Silk Air withdraws its Boeing 737 MAX8 fleet:
Singapore Airlines subsidiary Silk Air has withdrawn its Boeing 737 MAX8 fleet following the Ethiopian crash.
The airlines said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302, and our hearts go out to those affected by the accident. SilkAir is temporarily withdrawing its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet from service."
SilkAir currently has six 737 MAX 8s. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority. As of this morning, all six aircraft have been grounded in Singapore and will not be returned to service until further notice. Our 17 Boeing 737-800NGs are not affected.
The withdrawal from service of the 737 MAX 8 fleet will have an impact on some of the airline's flight schedules. Customers who may be affected by flight disruptions will be contacted for re-accommodation.
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