Indonesia permanently closes airspace to Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft
Indonesia has permanently banned all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from serving in its airspace, Indonesian Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said on March 18.
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia haspermanently banned all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from serving in its airspace,Indonesian Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said on March 18.
He said that the ban has taken effect sinceMarch 15 based on the evaluation on the existing Boeing 737 Max 8 operated bynational airlines and the notice of the US Federal Aviation Administration(FAA).
Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia have agreed toground operation of their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, the official said.
Earlier, the ministry issued a temporary ban, ordering all related aviationagencies to examine Boeing 737 Max 8 planes to ensure flight safety, and authorisedinspectors would grant permission for those aircraft which are declared fit toserve.
The Indonesian Government’s decision was made following the fatal crashes ofEthiopian Airlines’ plane on March 10, and Lion Air’s plane five monthsearlier.
There are clear similarities between the twocrashes. Both involved the same model of plane - Boeing 737 Max 8, both pilotsreported flight control issues and both planes crashed shortly aftertakeoff.-VNA
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A Boeing 737 Max aircraft (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
