The grounding of Boeing Co.'s 737 Max 9 quickly gathered pace, with carriers from the US to Panama to Turkey pulling the model from service for inspections after a fuselage section on a brand-new Alaska Airlines jet blew out during flight.
After Alaska Air kept its fleet of 65 737 Max 9s on the ground following the incident on 5 January, United Airlines Holdings Inc., the model's top operator, followed suit with some jets. Then the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a temporary grounding of 171 planes, accelerating the response among other airlines Aeromexico took all of its Max 9s out of service, and Panama's Copa Airlines did the same with most of its jets.
The cascading grounding marks the most severe response since Boeing's entire fleet of Max aircraft was parked in 2019 following two deadly crashes. The 737 Max is by far the company's most popular aircraft and its biggest source of revenue. The blowout puts the focus back on Boeing's manufacturing controls just as it was gearing up to raise output of its cash-cow model and turn the corner on past defects.
"We are very fortunate this didn't end up in something more tragic," Jennifer Homendy, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a press conference in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
India in economic sweet spot, inflation to moderate: Moody's
India's economy is in a sweet spot and its inflation is expected to moderate despite a temporary spurt, Moody's said, projecting optimism about the country's growth prospects despite recent underwhelming data.
Incentive engine to drive modern ships
Subsidies for green, high-tech ships under ₹18,000 cr policy
Cement firms wage war on costs as competition soars
India's cement makers who once flexed their pricing muscles are caught in a bruising price war, eroding margins at a time of rising demand.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have enough money for its futuristic city
The giant futuristic planned city of Neom is proving a headache for Saudi Arabia. Costs are up, schedules are delayed, and in recent days the world’s largest construction project replaced its chief executive of six years.
EV adoption is a marathon, not a sprint: Audi India
The slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales is temporary, and the industry will grow over time, Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon said, pointing to the need for extensive charging networks and supportive government policies.
India's trade gap with China soars in Apr-Oct
The country's green transition increases reliance on Chinese imports
14 nations eye India's generic drug model
Countries will specify their requirements, with HLL and MEA coordinating with them for the pharma exports
India urges $1.3 tn annual climate grant
Intervening on behalf of like-minded developing countries (LMDCs), India said that developed countries need to commit to provide and mobilise at least $1.3 trillion every year in the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) till 2030.
Over 600 mn cyberattacks daily, AI can secure devices
Microsoft is developing a password-free authentication process to eliminate the risk of breaches
Small businesses ramping up cybersecurity, thanks to AI
Rising AI adoption is helping cybersecurity providers hike their marketable base in India
