ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE
Nations are massively closing their airspace for Boeing 737 MAX planes over the deadly crash in Ethiopia. At least 27 airlines have now grounded the Max 8.
On March 12, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced an EU-wide airspace ban on the aircraft in order to ‘ensure the safety of passengers.”
“Following the tragic accident of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of passengers.
As a precautionary measure, EASA has published today an Airworthiness Directive, effective as of 19:00 UTC, suspending all flight operations of all Boeing Model 737-8 MAX and 737-9 MAX aeroplanes in Europe. In addition EASA has published a Safety Directive, effective as of 19:00 UTC, suspending all commercial flights performed by third-country operators into, within or out of the EU of the above mentioned models.
The accident investigation is led by the Ethiopian Authorities with the support of the National Transportation Safety Board, as the aircraft was designed and built in the United States. EASA has offered their assistance in supporting the accident investigation.
EASA is continuously analysing the data as it becomes available. The accident investigation is currently ongoing, and it is too early to draw any conclusions as to the cause of the accident.“
The EASA announcement followed an avalanche of bans and suspensions from European countries and carriers.
The situation is developing in light of the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 killing 157 people on board. This was the second disaster involving the new Boeing jet in the last six months. The previous tragedy took place in October when Indonesia’s Lion Air 737 Max 8 crashed killing 189 passengers and crew.
It should be noted that the the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) came with a statement in defense of Boeing claiming that the 737 Max 8 model is airworthy. The FFA declined to order airlines to ground the jet. However, this appeared not enough to rescue Boeing from the ongoing crisis.
The situation is developing.
