India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded the Boeing 737 Max aircraft with immediate effect, joining a global rebuke of the U.S. manufacturer's most important plane after Sunday's deadly crash.
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. (2/2)
March 12, 2019India's move comes after the European Aviation Safety Agency also grounded 737 Max flights across the region. The agency said it was acting out of an abundance of caution and out of concern for passenger safety.
Earlier, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia closed their air space to 737 Max planes in response to a second crash of the model in five months. On Monday, China and Indonesia had halted flights.
On Sunday, a 737 MAX 8 aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed near Addis Ababa killing 157 people, including four Indians.
SpiceJet has around 12 such aircraft in its fleet, while Jet Airways has five, which are currently grounded.
The incident on Sunday was second such crash involving the 737 Max aircraft in less than five months. In October 2018, an aircraft operated by Lion Air crashed killing over 180 people in Indonesia.
In a tweet on Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had said that he had directed the DGCA to undertake safety assessment.
Directed officials of DGCA to undertake safety assessment of Boeing 737-MAX (being flown by domestic carriers). Safety of the passengers is our utmost concern. Directed Secretary and DGCA to take appropriate action immediately.
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