ISLAMABAD: A number of countries have banned Boeings 737 Max 8 medium-haul workhorse jet from their airspace in response to the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 people on board.
Several airlines have grounded the Max 8s in their fleets, but many others are continuing to fly the plane pending an investigation into the crash and possible guidance from Boeing itself. Airlines still operating the model have been restricted by the airspace bans. Air Canada, for example, was obliged to cancel some flights to London because of Britain´s ban on the aircraft.
The Nairobi-bound plane was the same type as the Indonesian Lion Air jet that crashed in October, killing 189 passengers and crew -- and some officials have detected similarities between the two accidents. More than 370 737 MAX 8s are in service around the world, with nearly 5,000 on order.
National bans the 737 MAX are New Zealand, The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Australia, China, All European Union countries, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Namibia, Oman and Singapore. The Airlines which are grounding 737 MAX jets are flydubai, Aerolineas Argentinas Aeromexico, Cayman Airways, Comair Eastar Jet, Ethiopian Airlines, Gol Airlines, Icelandair, LOT MIAT, Mongolian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Smartwings, Turkish Airlines.
