Ethiopian Airlines has issued a media release saying it has returned the B737 MAX to service on February 1, with the airline’s Board Chairman and Executives, Boeing Executives, Ministers, Ambassadors, government officials, journalists and customers on board the first flight.
Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, said: “Safety is the top-most priority at Ethiopian Airlines and it guides every decision we make and all actions we take. It is in line with this guiding principle that we are now returning the B737 MAX to service, not only after the re-certification by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), EASA of Europe, Transport Canada, CAAC, ECAA and other regulatory bodies, but also after the fleet type’s return to service by 36 airlines around the world.”
GebreMariam said the airline had taken enough time to monitor the design modification work and the 20-month-plus rigorous recertification process. “We have ensured that our pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians and cabin crew are confident of the safety of the fleet.”
The B737 MAX has accumulated more than 349 000 commercial flights and close to 900 000 total flight hours since the resumption of its operation a year ago.
ET is currently the most important carrier in Africa. The 75-year-old airline has been ranked number-one in Africa over the past few years. It also has massive cargo operations, ranking 21st in the world in cargo operations.
