More Countries Suspend Boeing 737 Max From Flight Operations

With the rising number of countries that have banned the Boeing 737 Max 8 model aircraft, following the crash of Ethiopian Airline Flight 302 on Sunday 10 March 2019, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has assured air travelers in the country of their safety, affirming that the aircraft model is not in operation in the country.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday. The statement added that the authority is, however, consciously monitoring the development with a view to taking the necessary steps that will enhance the safety of all aircraft in operation within the Nigerian airspace.

Report confirmed that as at Wednesday, February 13, 2019 several countries including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil (GOL Linhas Aéreas), Cayman Islands (Cayman Airways), China, Ethiopia, EASA member states, France, Germany, Iceland (Icelandair), India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico (Aeromexico), Mongolia (MIAT Mongolian Airlines), Morocco (Royal Air Maroc), Netherlands, Norway (Norwegian), Oman, Poland, Singapore, South Africa (Comair), South Korea (Eastar Jet),Turkey, United Kingdom (TUI Airways). However, Boeing maintains that the aircraft is safe.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Authority, FAA, has said it will not suspend Boeing 737 Max aircraft despite mounting pressure from senators and workers’ unions, following the crash, the second in five months. There are over 100 737 max model aircraft that are still operational in North American airspace.