• Source:REUTERS
Add as a preferred

After the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners by US authorities for safety inspections, flydubai airline on Sunday stated that three Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes in its fleet were not affected by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding.

"Following The Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 6, 2024, we can confirm that the three Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in our fleet are not affected," a flydubai spokesperson said as quoted by news agency Reuters. "Flydubai operates Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft with a deactivated mid-aft exit door configuration, which is not referenced in the directive," he added.

United Airlines Suspends Boeing 737 MAX 9 Aircraft

Chicago-based United Airlines (UA) has announced that it has temporarily grounded all of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft as required by the FAA. The decision from United Airlines comes after a piece of the fuselage blew out on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 at an altitude of 16,000 feet, creating a large hole.

ALSO READ: Japan Earthquake: Days After Powerful Quake, Fresh Tremors Of 5.1 Magnitude Jolt Area Near West Coast Of Honshu

"United has temporarily suspended service on all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to conduct inspections required by the FAA. We are working with the FAA to clarify the inspection process and the requirements for returning all MAX 9 aircraft to service," the airline said in a statement released on Saturday, Reuters reported.

On Friday, Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 passengers experienced a spine-chilling takeoff, as a window and a chunk of the flight's fuselage blew out mid-air. Videos and photos of the incident circulated on social media, showed an apparent exit row missing a door and window.

Boeing, in a statement, said that it was looking into the emergency landing. "We are investigating what happened and will share more information as it becomes available," it added.

(With Reuters Inputs)