12 Mar 2019 | 03:56 AM UTC
Global: 12 countries ground 737 MAX 8 planes March 12 /update 3
Airlines in at least 12 countries halt operation of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft as of March 12; associated flight disruptions possible
Event
Additional airlines have suspended operations of Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, affecting operations in 12 countries as of Tuesday, March 12, following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on Sunday, March 10. Airlines from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea have joined the Cayman Islands, China, Ethiopia, and Indonesia in grounding the 737 MAX 8 model in their fleets. The airlines are reportedly conducting inspections of the fleet and are awaiting further reports of the Flight 302 investigation. Associated flight disruptions are possible on the affected airlines.
The following countries and airlines have grounded their Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes:
- Argentina - Aerolineas Argentinas (five planes)
- Brazil - GOL (seven planes)
- Cayman Islands - Cayman Airways (two planes)
- China - 102 planes total on 9 Air (three planes), Air China (15 planes), China Eastern (three planes), China Southern (26 planes), Fuzhou Airlines (two planes), Hainan Airlines (11 planes), Kunming Airlines (two planes), Lucky Air (three planes), OKAir (two planes), Shandong Airlines (seven planes), Shanghair Airlines (12 planes), Shenzen Airlines (six planes), Xiamen Air (10 planes)
- Ethiopia - Ethiopian Airlines (four planes)
- Indonesia - Garuda (one plane), Lion Air (10 planes)
- Mexico - Aeromexico (six planes)
- Mongolia - MIAT Mongolian Airlines (one plane)
- Morocco - Royal Air Maroc (one plane)
- Singapore - Silk Air (six planes)
- South Africa - Comair (one plane)
- South Korea - Eastar Jet (two planes)
Context
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 flying from Addis Ababa to Nairobi crashed shortly after takeoff on March 10, killing all 157 people on board. It is not yet known what caused the crash and an investigation is underway. The same model of plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was also involved in a fatal Lion Air crash in October 2018 that killed all 189 people on board.
Advice
Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate possible flight disruptions (including delays and cancelations) in the coming days, and maintain flexible travel itineraries. Contact your airline directly for more information.
