China’s grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 may win praise for safety but no points for aircraft sales
- China’s aviation authority was the first to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 planes after the crash in Ethiopia on Sunday which killed all 157 people on board
- Decision is of little commercial benefit, with Chinese-built C919 years from service
While Beijing’s swift decision to ground the kind of Boeing aircraft involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash could raise its profile in international aviation regulation, it is far too soon to say it could turn into a commercial boon for China’s aircraft manufacturing industry, analysts said.
China’s aviation authority was the first to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 planes after the crash in Ethiopia on Sunday which killed all 157 people on board. Most countries have followed suit.
Sunday’s crash was the second of the same Boeing model in five months – a Lion Air crash in Indonesia in October killed 189 people – raising questions about the safety of the Boeing model, which entered service less than two years ago.
China reacted on safety concerns and posted a notice by 10am on Monday, or about 19 hours after the crash, telling Chinese airlines to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 models by 6pm that day, according to a copy of the notice seen by the South China Morning Post.
To some Chinese analysts, Beijing’s quick decision may boost China’s kudos and raise the profile of the country’s first indigenous long-haul airliner, the Comac C919.