boeing 737

Update: President Trump announced that the U.S. will ground Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 planes on Wednesday.

On Sunday morning, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed six minutes after takeoff from Adidas Ababa, Ethiopia, killing all 157 aboard. It is the second of the new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircrafts to crash in the past few months, following Lion Air’s fatal plunge into the sea after departing from Indonesia last October. These twin catastrophes, understandably, have prompted strong reactions.

Coincidence or Correlation?

In the past 48 hours, airlines and entire countries have banned the 737 Max 8 aircraft from flight, including China, France, Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Aeromexico, Ethiopian Airlines and more, reports CNN. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency announced today that it has banned the plane from the entire continent, according to Bloomberg.

Although authorities are still investigating the crash and any potential systematic error with the Boeing Max 8 model, a general concern and discomfort shared by the public, flight staff and many political and aviation authority leaders has been enough to ground hundreds of flights around the world until more information is released.

The United States, however, has not moved to ban the plane. Flights continue to operate across Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. Neither Delta Air Lines nor United Airlines operate the aircraft.

Here is a look at what the key players have to say.

What the FAA is Saying

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the Boeing 737 Max 8 safe and airworthy until further investigation.

What the Crew is Saying

The Association of Flight Attendants is publicly calling on the FAA to temporarily ground the aircraft to maintain safety and address the concerns of passengers and staff.

What Boeing is Saying

Boeing stands by its aircraft and has sent a team to investigate the crash site in Ethiopia. Stock in the company continues to fall, reports Bloomberg.

Some Delays Expected

There are more than 350 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircrafts operated around the globe. As more countries impose air bans on the aircraft by the hour, flights are being diverted midair and cancellations are consequentially unavoidable.

What Critics are Saying

United States Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and others have called for the FAA to ground the aircraft.

What President Trump is Saying

What Operating Airlines are Saying

What the Public is Saying

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