Malaysia suspends Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights

Malaysia suspends Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights

This comes after two air tragedies involving the planes.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia says that none of the nation’s carriers operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8. (Reuters pic)
PETALING JAYA:
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia is suspending Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights to and from Malaysia with immediate effect following two fatal crashes involving the planes.

In a brief statement, the authority’s CEO Ahmad Nizar Zolfakar also said that none of the Malaysian carriers operates the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

“The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, with immediate effect, is suspending the operations of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft flying to or from Malaysia and transiting in Malaysia until further notice.”

Malaysia’s decision to ground the plane type follows that of other countries — including Singapore, China, Indonesia, Russia and the United States — which did the same in response to an Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 people on board on Sunday.

The Nairobi-bound plane was the same type as the Indonesian Lion Air jet that crashed in October, killing 189 passengers and crew — with some detecting similarities between the two accidents.

There are over 300 of the 737 Max 8 planes currently in service around the world.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.