[200319.EN.AIR] Singapore Bans Boeing 737 Max Aircraft Over Its Airspace

SINGAPORE has become the lastest nation to ban the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, after two crashes involving Max planes put safety of the jetliners under the spotlight.

In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced that it is "temporarily suspending operation of all variants of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Singapore in light of two fatal accidents involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in less than five months".

The suspension took effect from 1400hrs, March 12, 2019 (Singapore Time).

SilkAir, which operates six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, will be affected by the temporary suspension. The other airlines currently operating Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to Singapore are China Southern Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Shandong Airlines and Thai Lion Air. CAAS is working with Changi Airport Group and the affected airlines to minimise any impact to travelling passengers, the statement said.

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.

During the temporary suspension, CAAS will gather more information and review the safety risk associated with the continued operation of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Singapore.

"CAAS is closely monitoring the situation and is in close communication with the US Federal Aviation Administration and other aviation regulators, as well as Boeing.

"The suspension will be reviewed as relevant safety information becomes available," the statement added.

Source : HKSG.