SINGAPORE (Mar 12): The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is temporarily suspending Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operations out of Singapore. The move comes after a B-737 Max 8 crashed in Ethiopia on Sunday, killing all 157 people on board – the second fatal accident involving the best-selling Boeing aircraft in less than five months.
The suspension will take effect from 2pm on Mar 12.
This suspension is expected to affect Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary, SilkAir, which operates six 737 MAX aircrafts. Other airlines operating the aircraft to Singapore include China Southern Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Shandong Airlines and Thai Lion Air.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority. As of this morning, all six aircraft have been grounded in Singapore and will not be returned to service until further notice. Our 17 Boeing 737-800NGs are not affected,” says an SIA spokesperson.
CAAS has said that it is working with Changi Airport Group and the affected airlines to minimise impact to passengers.
“CAAS has been in regular contact with SilkAir on its MAX operations since last year, and has been satisfied that it has been taking appropriate measures to comply with the necessary safety requirements,” said CAAS in a statement.
During this suspension CAAS will be gathering more information and reviewing the safety risk with operating the 737 MAX aircraft in and out of Singapore. The regulator is currently monitoring the situation and is in contact with other aviation regulators as well as Boeing.
“The suspension will be reviewed as relevant safety information becomes available,” said CAAS.
Already, a number of countries have grounded the B-737 Max 8 following the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday.
Chinese aviation authorities on Monday ordered airlines in the country to ground all their Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, citing the need for "strict control of safety risks," while regulators in Indonesia called for the planes to be inspected before flights will be allowed to resume.
In October, an Indonesian Lion Air B-737 Max 8 jet crashed, killing 189 passengers and crew.
Boeing shares plunged as much as 13.5% on Monday, before closing 5.3% down at US$400.01.
