Ethiopian Airlines plans to put the Boeing 2022 Max back into active scheduled service in February 737. The company is currently planning the comeback flight with this pattern on February 1, 2022.
Two fatal crashes resulted in this model being issued a worldwide flight ban. First Lion Air had a total loss and then the Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines. In the course of the reconditioning, numerous defects that the manufacturer Boeing were responsible for came to light. Extensive modifications had to be carried out in order to be able to obtain re-approval.
Ethiopian Airlines considered for a long time whether the Boeing 737 Max would ever be used again, but decided to use it again. A date had not yet been announced, but it was now set for February 2022. Existing orders were also not canceled.
“Safety is a top priority at Ethiopian Airlines and she guides every decision we make. In accordance with this principle, we are now putting the B737 Max back into operation. In line with our originally stated commitment to be among the last airlines to put the B737 Max back into operation, we have taken enough time to monitor the design changes and the more than 20-month rigorous recertification process, ”said CEO Tewolde GebreMariam .
Ethiopian Airlines currently has four Boeing 737 Max 8. These have not been used commercially since the fatal loss and the associated worldwide flight ban. The carrier is also waiting for 26 more copies to be delivered. The related order was not canceled. Some time ago, the carrier explicitly acknowledged this pattern.