(Newswire.net — June 20, 2019) — Whether you’re a regular flyer or not, you will most likely be aware of the tragic plane crashes that have led to the new Boeing 737 Max fleet to be grounded. A second fatal crash in less than five months spread international panic, with president Donald Trump weighing in on the issue stating that the planes were becoming “far too complex to fly”. Global reaction added pressure to the Federal Aviation Administration to act, and over 27 airlines made the decision to ground their 737 Max. We can’t be certain just how big the impact of this will have on future travel plans, but here’s what we do know…
The 737 Max is Boeing’s fastest selling airplane of all time, with 4,500 models ordered by over 100 different travel operators around the world. While this may seem like a large number of aircraft, in reality it accounts for a small percentage of air travel. In a week where 700,000 flights were scheduled globally, just 6,548 were scheduled to be operated by a Boeing 737 Max. Generally, these aircraft are used for short domestic flights, as opposed to any long-haul destinations. The area most affected by the grounded jets is North America, with three of their major operators owning a number of 737 Max aircraft. Southwest Airlines, Air Canada and American Airlines will feel the impact, and will be looking to use alternative aircraft and putting older jets back into the sky.
In the UK, the Boeing 737 Max has been suspended from Air Space, a step many other countries have taken to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Popular airlines in the UK TUI group and Norwegian Airlines have both suspended use of their 737 Max fleet.
So, what happens now?
We know that Boeing have not handled this case lightly, with the CEO recently issuing an apology after the preliminary findings from the Ethiopian government pointed the finger at Boeing. With the software issue acknowledged, the company have stated that they will “ensure this will never happen again”.
The disruption will depend on how long it takes to get the 737 Max back in the sky, and to regain trust from airlines and passengers. There’s no doubt that these fatal crashes will have caused a dent in passenger confidence in flying. We can’t be certain how long the aircraft will be grounded for, it’s dependant on the time needed to produce a full report and investigation, and of course, fixing any potential safety issues with the software.
Initially, reports suggested that the 737 Max could be back in the skies as early as summer 2019 but it now looks likely that they will be grounded until at least the end of the year.
Travel plans should not be affected too badly, with the majority of airlines using alternative and older aircraft models to ensure passengers aren’t left with cancelled flights. For peace of mind, you might want to double check with your operator to confirm your flights remain unaffected.
If you’re yet to book your flights, don’t let this panic you too much. Prices have not been affected and don’t forget to use an online comparison tool to compare flights for the best deal.