Flydubai response comes after Chinese authorities grounded all its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft
Dubai-based budget airline Flydubai remains “confident in the airworthiness” of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, despite Chinese authorities grounding the US-made model following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane on Sunday.
“We are monitoring the situation and continue to be in touch with Boeing,” a Flydubai spokesperson said in a media statement.
"We remain confident in the airworthiness of our fleet. The safety of our passengers and crew is our first priority."
One hundred and fifty seven passengers and crew, including one Saudi, six Egyptians, two Moroccans and a Yemeni, were killed on Sunday when an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft crashed on its way to Kenya
Chinese authorities on Monday said they had grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft operating in its airspace following the crash
The Ethiopian Airlines incident in Kenya comes just a few months after a Lion Air 737 Max aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of Indonesia on October 29.
Emirati authorities have not commented on whether they will follow suit and ground all Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft operating in the United Arab Emirates.
Arabian Business has attempted to contact the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority for comment.
Rigorous process
Flydubai currently has 237 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on order, with 11 Boeing 737 MAX-8 and two Boeing MAX 9 aircraft currently in operation.
“Flydubai went through a rigorous process to identify the right aircraft that met the requirements of our operations,” the Flydubai spokesperson added.
"The introduction to our fleet of a new model of aircraft is regulated by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). This is also approved by the relevant authorities and regulators. The aviation sector is highly regulated and flydubai rigorously adheres to all regulations," the spokesperson added.
Boeing said in a statement yesterday a “technical team will be travelling to the crash site to provide technical assistance under the direction of the Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau and US National Transportation Safety Board”.
0 comments