FG Bans Use of Boeing 737 Max 8, 9 Planes in Nigeria

 

The Federal Government, yesterday, banned the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 planes by any airline operator in Nigeria airspace.

The Ethiopian Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane had on Sunday crashed a few minutes after take-off in Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people aboard, including two Nigerians.

But Air Peace airline in a swift reaction, yesterday, said the Federal Government’s order banning the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from flying in Nigeria’s airspace does not affect it since it had no such aircraft type in its fleet.

The airline currently has an order with Boeing Aircraft manufacturing company for 10 B737 Max 8 aircraft.

Meanwhile, US and Canadian governments also, yesterday, grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the B737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft would not be allowed into Nigeria until the cause of the plane crash in Addis Ababa was determined.

He said: “Regarding Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, that has been in the news, there is no cause for alarm as there is no operator in Nigeria that is using that type of airplane.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, whose mandate it is to issue advisory, has already said nobody should fly into Nigeria or out of Nigeria using Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, pending the determination of the actual cause of the crash in Ethiopia and also pending the outcome of the response of the manufacturer, which is Boeing.

“Regardless of the enormous safety records of this plane, it has caused concern in the world of aviation and you know aviation it is universal. Whatever affects one, affects the other because aircraft will be flying in and out.

“So, we have issued directive that no operator with Boeing 737 Max 8 or Max 9 should operate into and outside our airports and this is being carried out.

“Regarding Air Peace and Arik orders, whether those orders were confirmed or intent, it is to our knowledge in the ministry that they won’t be in the country until the next two years or so. And this is enough period to sort out whatever problem it is with that plane.”

THE Federal Government, yesterday, banned the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 planes by any airline operator in Nigeria airspace.

The Ethiopian Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane had on Sunday crashed a few minutes after take-off in Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people aboard, including two Nigerians.

But Air Peace airline in a swift reaction, yesterday, said the Federal Government’s order banning the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from flying in Nigeria’s airspace does not affect it since it had no such aircraft type in its fleet.

The airline currently has an order with Boeing Aircraft manufacturing company for 10 B737 Max 8 aircraft.

Meanwhile, US and Canadian governments also, yesterday, grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the B737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft would not be allowed into Nigeria until the cause of the plane crash in Addis Ababa was determined.

He said: “Regarding Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, that has been in the news, there is no cause for alarm as there is no operator in Nigeria that is using that type of airplane.

“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, whose mandate it is to issue advisory, has already said nobody should fly into Nigeria or out of Nigeria using Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, pending the determination of the actual cause of the crash in Ethiopia and also pending the outcome of the response of the manufacturer, which is Boeing.

“Regardless of the enormous safety records of this plane, it has caused concern in the world of aviation and you know aviation it is universal. Whatever affects one, affects the other because aircraft will be flying in and out.

“So, we have issued directive that no operator with Boeing 737 Max 8 or Max 9 should operate into and outside our airports and this is being carried out.

“Regarding Air Peace and Arik orders, whether those orders were confirmed or intent, it is to our knowledge in the ministry that they won’t be in the country until the next two years or so. And this is enough period to sort out whatever problem it is with that plane.”