Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
The Alaska Airlines MAX 9 experienced an emergency diversion due to the separation of the rear mid-cabin plug. This plug, holding an inactivated door in place, tore off, leading to rapid depressurization and necessitating an emergency landing.
The US aviation regulatory authority has mandated the grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspections after a section of an Alaska Airlines plane's fuselage detached on Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has directed "immediate inspections" of 737 Max 9s globally, with the impact primarily affecting flights within the United States.
Akasa Air holds the largest fleet of 22 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in India, exclusively operating with this model for its entire network across 16 destinations. SpiceJet and Air India Express each possess nine Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Air India Express utilizes the MAX 8 for newly launched routes, while SpiceJet deploys its MAX-type aircraft on a mix of domestic and international flights.
Indian airlines conducted precautionary checks on their Boeing 737 MAX planes, as directed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The checks, including examination of overwing emergency exits, were satisfactorily performed by Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air.
The news recalls two tragic incidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX series—Lion Air Flight 610 in 2018, where 189 passengers, including the crew, lost their lives and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in 2019, where all 157 onboard died.
The share price of Boeing on New York Stock Exchange crashed more than 8% in the pre-market. The shares of Boeing were trading at $227.45 at the time of writing this article.
Boeing faces ongoing challenges with the MAX, including negative publicity, periodic reports of issues, and recent revelations about improperly drilled fastener holes in aft pressure bulkheads. Despite safety commitments, these challenges have impacted the aircraft's reputation and deliveries.