Ethiopian brings 737 Max back into service

A clear signal that the Boeing 737 Max is back on track came with the successful return to service by Ethiopian Airlines yesterday.

Group of executives and officials in front of Ethioian's 737Max

Airline and government officials join customers and journalists for Ethiopians 737 Max return to service flight (Image Ethiopian Airlines)

Airline executives, government officials and journalists joined customers on its first ET flight in almost three years following the tragic crash in March 2019 that saw the type grounded around the world.

US regulators had cleared the Max to fly again in 2020 but Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam had warned that his airline would be among the last in the world to return it to sevice.

”In line with our initially stated commitment to become among the last airlines to return the Boeing 737 Max, we have taken enough time to monitor the design modification work and the more than 20 months of rigorous recertification process and we have ensured that our pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians and cabin crew are confident on the safety of the fleet,” said GebreMariam.

Ethiopian said that the Max has carried out more than 349,000 commercial flights and close to 900,000 total flight hours since the resumption of its operations with 36 operators worldwide.

Ethiopian Airlines has four Max aircraft in its fleet and further 25 on order – “some of which” will be delivered this year.

Alan Peaford

Alan Peaford MBE

Alan is a regular broadcaster and is the consultant editor-in-chief and presenter for Times Aerospace TV and is a regular commentator on aviation issues for many global broadcasting channels. He is conference chairman of the Aviation Africa summit and the Aviation MENA summit and has moderated or chaired conferences for organisations such as IATA, DCAA, the Global Aerospace Summit and business aviation associations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

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