European airspace closed to new Boeing 737 as “precaution”

The problems are increasing for Boeing due to the serious security doubts generated by the second accident in only five months involving its latest model, the 737 MAX 8. While the investigation into the causes of last Sunday’s unresolved incident in Ethiopia continues, the European Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) last night banned the Boeing 737 8 and 9 models from the airspace of the 28 EU countries. The “precautionary measure” was adopted with immediate effect “to guarantee the safety of passengers,” according to an AESA press release.

Following China’s example, a dozen governments around the globe had already announced the closure of airspace to the 737 until the causes of the Ethiopia and Indonesia crashes have been identified, both of which happened shortly after the new model of Boeing had taken off.

The measures will force changes in the operations of many airlines, with cancellations and delays expected. Crews have also been affected, the Argentine pilots association refusing to pilot the Boeing 737.

Norwegian airlines yesterday announced that it will leave its Boeing 737 aircraft on the ground “until further notice”. None of its 5 planes at Barcelona’s El Prat airport are 737s.