The Federal Government has banned Boeing 737 Max airplanes from Nigeria’s airspace.
The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made this known on Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the decision followed the crash in Ethiopia which led to the loss of 157 people on board, including two Nigerians – Professor Pius Adesanmi, and an ex-diplomat, Abiodun Bashua.
He said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had warned against flying into and out of the country using Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9.
This, he explained, was pending the outcome of the findings into the cause(s) of the crash in Ethiopia and also pending the outcome of the response of the manufacturer, Messers Boeing.
Said he: “Regarding Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, that has been in the news recently, there is no cause for alarm as there is no operator in Nigeria that is using that type of airplane.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, whose mandate it is to issue advisory, has already issued advisory that nobody should fly into Nigeria or out of Nigeria using Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, pending the determination of the actual cause of the crash in Ethiopia and also pending the outcome of the response of the manufacturer, which is Messrs Boeing.
“Regardless of the enormous safety records of this plane 737, it has caused concern in the world of aviation and you know aviation is universal, whatever affects one affects the other because aircraft will be flying in and out. So, we have issued directive that no operator with Boeing 737 Max 8 or Max 9 should operate into and outside our airports and this is being carried out.”
Sirika spoke on the order placed for the model of the aircraft by Arik and Air Peace.
“Regarding Air Peace and Arik orders, whether those orders were confirmed or intent, it is to our knowledge in the ministry that they won’t be in the country until the next two years or so.
“And this is enough period to sort out whatever problem it is with that plane. The world of aviation will not be sleeping just as we in Nigeria will not be sleeping. And it is normal standard practice that once a particular aircraft type is involved in accident back to back, it is withdrawn from the market and see if there is something they are doing wrong.
“And if it is confirmed that a particular problem say for instance, landing gear, they will issue an instruction to ground such plane worldwide until the problem is fix.”
