News
Alaska Airlines Resumes Boeing 737 MAX 9 Flights After Inspections
(CTN News) – Earlier this month, Alaska Airlines said that it had completed inspections on the first group of aircraft in its Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet, clearing the airline to operate the aircraft again after an in-flight cabin explosion earlier in the month.
On Friday afternoon, the airline was able to resume some MAX 9 operations, starting with Flight 1146 from Seattle to San Diego, which was operated by the MAX 9 fleet.
Following approval by the Federal Aviation Administration of Alaska’s inspection criteria on Wednesday night, Alaska said it was preparing to begin inspections of its first MAX 9 aircraft.
As of next week, the airline is expecting to complete the inspection of its 737-9 MAX aircraft, which will enable us to operate our full schedule, according to the airline. The inspection takes about 12 hours for each aircraft, according to the airline.
A letter released by Boeing Commercial Airlines President Stan Deal following the landing of the Alaska Airlines flight stated that the team had put “do their utmost effort” into creating inspection criteria that would be able to allow aircraft to be put back in service after the flight landed on Alaska Airlines.
In addition, Boeing is currently in the process of evaluating “hundreds” of ideas for improving quality submitted by employees.
The long-term focus of our company is improving the quality of our services so that we may regain the confidence of our customers, our regulators as well as the flying public as a whole,” he explained. As the owner of these issues, we are responsible for making sure they are resolved.
The return of Copa Airlines to service on Thursday made it the first MAX 9 to return to service.
Due to the grounding of 171 MAX 9s on Jan. 6 by the Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have canceled thousands of flights this month since they began flying the MAX 9.
SEE ALSO:
In South Gaza, Battles Rage As Heavy Rain Hits Displaced People
