By Adelaide Sirox Kari – EMTV News, Port Moresby
After the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airline Boeing 737 Max 8 that killed 157 passengers and crew, more than a dozen countries, including Australia, China, and Singapore including Ethiopian Airlines have grounded the Aircraft.
The Aviation industry now questioning if there is anything wrong with the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, only months after the Lion Air 737 Max 8 leaving Jakarta crashed into the Java Sea killing everyone on board; and now the Ethiopian Airways 737 Max 8 Crashing Killing 157 passengers and crew just minutes after take-off. The crashes have stunned the world as a dozen countries ground all 737 Max 8 fleets.
Back home here in PNG, The National Carrier Air Niugini had ordered Boeing 737 Max 8 Aircraft to join their fleet in 2020. Our National Airline Company Air Niugini has told EMTV News, that they are monitoring the situation closely, as the Airline company has ordered four 737 Max 8.
Air Niugini Managing Director Alan Milen said upon a Final Air Crash investigation report, the company will decide if the 737 Max 8 will join the fleet.
While the world awaits the Final Reports for both the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airways, Air Niugini says Boeing has assured by 2020, when the four 737 Max 8 arrive if changes are needed to be done, will be done before 2020.
Meanwhile, PNG Accident Investigation Chief Commissioner Hubert Namani in a Media statement said the
“PNGAIC is closely monitoring the unfolding situations regarding the major crashes of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Lion Air in Indonesia and Ethiopian Airlines in Ethiopia.”
Namani wanted to assure PNG citizens and the travelling public that the Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Air Niugini and all operators currently flying Boeing 737 aircraft to and from are not the Boeing 737 MAX model.
“The AIC understands that the United States National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Boeing Company are assisting the Indonesian and Ethiopian investigation authorities with their investigations.”
“I want to assure our PNG citizens and the travelling public that the Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Air Niugini and all operators currently flying Boeing 737 aircraft to and from Papua New Guinea, are not the Boeing 737 MAX model”.
