Canada grounds Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft
The US is now the only major nation not to ground the aircraft
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Canada has banned Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from its airspace, following last Sunday's Ethiopian Airlines crash.
The decision means that the US is now the only major nation yet to ground the aircraft.
The grounding means that commercial Boeing 737 MAX planes, whether flown by domestic or international airlines, cannot land, take-off or overfly Canadian airspace.
On Sunday, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX jet crashed shortly after take off from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 onboard.
“My thoughts continue to go out to all those affected by the tragic aircraft accident involving an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” said Canada's minister of transport Marc Garneau this afternoon.
“Following advice from Transport Canada Civil Aviation experts, as a precautionary measure, I am issuing a safety notice to address this issue.
“This safety notice is effective immediately, and will remain in place until further notice.”
Canada joins a roster of countries that have banned the aircraft from their airspace. Yesterday, the EU aviation watchdog said that it would ground all Boeing 737 MAX jets as a precautionary measure.
Shortly after the UK banned the aircraft yesterday, two Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 MAX jets bound for Gatwick and Birmingham turned around in mid-air and headed back to Istanbul.
Pressure is mounting on the US to take a similar stance. The most recent statement from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said: “Our review shows no systemic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft.”
It emerged this morning that pilots from across the world had raised serious concerns over the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments