Indonesian minister says grounding of Boeing 737 MAX jets ‘possible’ following Ethiopian Airlines crash

Boeing 737 MAX 8. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Boeing 737 MAX 8. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Boeing’s new 737 MAX 8 jets are once again under global scrutiny following the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 near Addis Ababa yesterday, which killed all 158 on board. The 737 MAX holds special significance in Indonesia as the country’s last major air accident, the crash of Lion Air flight JT-610 in October, involved the same jet model. Now, the Indonesian government appear to be taking steps to ground the airplane model.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters today that he plans to meet with Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi tomorrow to analyze reports from Indonesian aviation professionals and discuss the possibility of grounding 737 MAX jets in the country. When asked if Indonesia may follow China’s lead in ordering a suspension of 737 MAX 8 flights, Luhut confirmed it was a possibility.

“Anything is possible, maybe, it depends on the reports that we receive. We’ll meet to discuss this tomorrow and we’ll see,” Luhut said, as quoted by Detik.

The Ministry of Transportation says it has also called for a meeting with representatives from Lion Air and flag carrier Garuda Indonesia — the only two Indonesian airlines with 737 MAX jets in their fleets — to find out if they have had any other any technical issues with the jets. The ministry says it has ordered the airlines to closely monitor the 737 MAX planes since JT-610 crashed in October, and there have been no reports of any issues with the jets since.

Garuda Indonesia currently has one Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet and has reportedly deferred the deliveries of 49 more until 2020. Meanwhile, Lion Air currently has 14 737 MAX series aircrafts and has ordered 201 more, but that deal could be on the line due to the airline’s row with Boeing regarding culpability in the JT-610’s crash.

The cause of JT-610’s crash is still being investigated, but there have been no government order to ground the 737 MAX jets since the tragic incident, which killed all 189 on board.

Chinese aviation authorities today ordered all Chinese airlines to suspend their use of the 737 MAX 8 following the Ethiopian Airlines crash yesterday, while the Addis Ababa-based airline is also suspending use of the beleaguered jet.

Ethiopia Airlines flight ET302, en route to Nairobi, Kenya, crashed soon after taking off from Addis Ababa yesterday morning, killing all 158 on board. Among the victims is an Indonesian woman who worked for the UN’s World Food Programme and lived in Rome.



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