Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (March 12): The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) 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.

In a statement today, CAAS said the suspension will take effect from 2pm today.

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 said it is working with Changi Airport Group and the affected airlines to minimise any impact to travelling passengers.

CAAS said it 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 said it 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 Co.

The aviation authority said the suspension will be reviewed as relevant safety information becomes available.

Meanwhile, Boeing chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg has come out to defend the safety of the 737 MAX family jets, saying that the US aircraft maker has delivered more than 370 737 MAX planes to 47 customers to date.

In a message to all Boeing employees on Monday, Muilenburg said since its certification and entry into service, the 737 MAX family has completed "hundreds of thousands of flights safely".

"We are confident in the safety of the 737 MAX and in the work of the men and women who design and build it," he said.

His message came in the wake of a second crash involving the best-selling Boeing aircraft in less than five months, raising questions about the safety of the 737 MAX 8 and had resulted in China, Indonesia and several airlines around the world grounding the aircraft type.

Boeing shares last traded down 5.33% or US$22.53 to US$400.01.

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