China's aviation authority ordered the temporary suspension of nearly 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft operated by domestic carriers on March 11, 2019, representing over 25% of the global fleet of the model. This action followed the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 near Addis Ababa on March 10, which killed 157 people.
Boeing emphasized that its investigation into the incident remains in its initial phase, with no immediate need to issue operational directives to airlines. A company spokesperson stated, "Safety is our top priority, and we are thoroughly examining all aspects of this tragedy while collaborating with regulatory bodies." The statement was shared with Reuters on March 11.
The grounding decision marked a significant escalation in regulatory responses to the ongoing inquiry into the aircraft's safety record after two fatal crashes within five months.
