North American carriers are refusing to ground Boeing 737 Max planes

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North American carriers are refusing to ground Boeing 737 Max planes | Secret Flying

US and Canadian airlines are continuing to use the aircraft despite a near worldwide ban.

 

After the previous weekend’s Ethiopian Airlines crash which killed 157 people, most airlines around the world have grounded their Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

 

The move comes after Sunday’s disaster was the second time the new 737 Max 8 aircraft crashed in the past four months, prompting concerns there is a major design flaw.

 

China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Australia and Singapore have suspended airlines from flying the aircraft to and from their respective countries.

 

The UK, France, Ireland and Germany have all gone a step further and said they will close their respective airspace to Boeing 737 Max 8 planes.

 

Many airlines have taken it upon themselves to ground the plane, including Turkish Airlines, Norwegian Airlines, Icelandair, TUI, Aeromexico, Cayman Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Comair Airways, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Eastar Jet and GOL Linhas Aéreas.

 

However, North American carriers have decided to continue using the aircraft despite complaints from passengers.

 

American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air Canada and WestJet have made no plans to change its operational policies or procedures.

 

All 24 of American Airlines’ Max 8s run out of Miami, operating 90 flights a day.

 

 

An American spokeswoman said the company maintains full confidence in the aircraft.

 

United Airlines and Panama-based Copa Airlines fly a variant of the Max 8 with a longer fuselage, the Max 9.

 

A United Airlines spokesperson said in a statement: “We have made clear that the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is safe and that our pilots are properly trained to fly the MAX aircraft safely.”

 

Southwest Airlines, which has 34 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes in its fleet, said it would “waive fare differences that might normally apply” for passengers wishing to re-book to another aircraft type.

 

According to reports, some US carriers are making scared passengers pay more to avoid flying on the aircraft.

 

Flydubai and Fiji Airways are also continuing to use the aircraft.