The latest on the Boeing 737 MAX

✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers

Verified codes to save on your next trip.

In this new installment we update the latest that is known about the Boeing 737 MAX and its mandatory "grounding" throughout the world.

As it is widely known, the newest and most modern Boeing aircraft, following the unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302, saw how almost 6 Months ago, airlines and countries made the decision to forcibly ground this aircraft while the potential problems that this aircraft may have are resolved or progress is made in the investigation process of the latest accident that would have many similarities with that of Lion Air almost a year ago.

We will update what has been known so far about this aircraft in a general way and we will also review the operations of the airlines that operate this aircraft in Ecuador and Latin America as we were already able to advance in this delivery.

Investigation

Much has been said about the advances in research, but you have to ask people to calm down, since a plane crash investigation is not done overnight and can take months to years, it all depends on access to information, teams and many factors.

Thus, we must continue waiting and trust that the investigation is being carried out as always with the strictest parameters to find the causes that generated these two unfortunate accidents of the MAX.

As usual, an accident leaves many lessons to the industry and this time, will not be the exception, that is for sure in favor of aeronautical safety.

MCAS

as we review, the Boeing's MCAS system 737 MAX is the cause of both accidents, still to be determined in the corresponding investigations and a lack of training or of informing the pilots of its existence in the training process towards this new aircraft.

So far it has been publicly known that, Boeing has carried out thousands of tests on this system with new updates that would be focused on solving its functionality and generating new changes and indicators in the cockpit so that the command crew knows the situation with new indications and new training.

This update is being carried out with test flights in simulators with Boeing pilots and North American airline pilots.. Boeing reported that the software update process, indicators and procedures will have no cost to the airlines.

The generation of these updates and processes, It makes us think that Boeing and the authorities would know in advance the causes of the accident(s), even without final reports..

On land

Son 371 planes that are on the ground around the world and for now, There is no exact date for how long this measure will be maintained. Some statements from the airlines have hinted that the stoppage of MAX operations will not be short and would go up to, at least, end of november, but the truth is that there is nothing concrete and no authority gives exact reason to the users.

In this period some MAX have been transferred to special airports, for example in the desert, to put them in what is known as in "preservation status" indicating that potentially the airlines know that the period on the ground will be longer than expected and the aircraft must be taken care of from the effects of the weather.

Why so long on land?

We must understand that a software update process and some related systems, they cannot be made so easily and sent to the airlines, before that, Thousands of test sessions must be carried out in simulators and then reach the real aircraft to perform "certification" tests of the system in real state..

There is no exact time for how long this process can take., but every day more involved, even the FBI who wants to review the general certification process of the aircraft, will make this process even longer, but controlled with the safety of the entire industry in mind.

World

Throughout the world, the impact of the MAX, given the length of time that the recertification process has taken, has begun to generate more and more impacts.. New routes have been canceled and low cost airlines have begun to close bases or reduce operations due to the lack of clarity on the part of the manufacturer to know when they will be able to fly their aircraft again.

What have the airlines done?? Leasing planes to other companies and even, remove equipment from the desert that had already been decommissioned in order to compensate their operations, significantly affecting their income and financial results.

Latin America

The 4 airlines operating the Boeing 737 MAX in our region maintain like the rest of the operators, their planes on the ground. Son 24 of these aircraft in our region, so the affectation has not been so important and Argentinian airlines, GOAL, Copa Airlines and Aeromexico have managed to maintain their operations with minimal affectations, but over time they have increased.

These effects have been seen mainly on longer-haul flights, where the operation with Boeing aircraft 737 NG require an additional intermediate scale, relocation of passengers due to reduced capacity and adjustment of itineraries canceling certain flights to compensate for the lack of these aircraft.

Ecuador

In our country, only American Airlines and GOL operate the MAX in regular operation. for GOAL, the affectation has been minimal on its route between Sao Paulo and Quito, changing equipment to the Boeing 737-800NG, which has implied making technical stopovers in Manaus in some opportunities and conditions.

On the other hand, for American Airlines the outlook has been a bit more complex and has had to make adjustments on its route between Miami and Quito.. For now, the operation of American Airlines that in its entire network has had to cancel approximately 90 daily flights to make up for the lack of MAX, They are made with the classic Boeing 757-200 to Quito.

we will keep updating…

✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers

Search here for hotels ALL over the world at the best price.