New Delhi: SpiceJet has suspended Boeing 737 Max operations following the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) decision to ground the aircraft in light of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash. “SpiceJet suspends Boeing 737 Max operations following the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s decision to ground the aircraft. Safety and security of our passengers, crew and operations are of utmost importance to us,” read a statement issued by the airline.
In a late night move, the DGCA on Tuesday decided to ground the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with immediate effect. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said in a statement that the planes will be grounded until appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations. “As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety,” the statement noted.
All 157 on board the Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane were killed after the Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight crashed shortly after taking off from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. The fuel-efficient 737 MAX is the fastest-selling plane in Boeing’s history. The plane-maker has accumulated nearly 4,700 orders from more than 100 customers worldwide.