13 Mar 2019 | 07:23 PM UTC
Global: All Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grounded worldwide March 13 /update 7
All Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grounded by aviation authorities worldwide as of March 13; significant flight disruptions expected across globe
Event
In consultation with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other international aviation authorities, Boeing has recommended the temporary suspension of all Model 737 MAX aircraft worldwide on Wednesday, March 13, until further notice. The action comes after US President Donald Trump reportedly ordered the indefinite grounding of all Boeing Model 737 MAX 8 and Model 737 MAX 9 airplanes on the same day. These developments follow a series of orders in recent days from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Transport Canada, and other aviation authorities across the world to ban the use of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft after the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on Sunday, March 10, which killed all 157 people onboard a Boeing Model 737 MAX 8. All Boeing Model 737 MAX aircraft have been grounded worldwide.
Significant flight disruptions - including delays, cancelations, and reroutes - are to be expected as a result.
Context
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 flying from Addis Ababa to Nairobi crashed shortly after takeoff on March 10, killing all 157 people onboard. 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 onboard.
Advice
Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate flight disruptions (including delays and cancelations) over the coming days, and maintain flexible travel itineraries. Contact your airline directly for more information.
