Boeing 737 MAX planes to return to Singapore skies after CAAS lifts ban

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Monday said it has lifted the restrictions on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operations into and out of Singapore, two years after it grounded the plane due to two fatal accidents involving the aircraft model.

CAAS, along with other aviation authorities worldwide, imposed restrictions in March 2019 following the fatal accidents which resulted in the deaths of 346 people.

The lifting of the ban, with effect from Sept 6, includes a directive for operating the aircraft, the CAAS said in a statement.

Air operators of the 737 MAX aircraft in Singapore will have to implement measures in line with the CAAS Directive and FAA Airworthiness Directive, which includes a CAAS-approved flight crew training programme, and additional simulator training for pilots to handle aircraft emergencies.

Meanwhile, foreign airlines operating the 737 MAX will have to comply with CAAS requirements, the FAA directive and other requirements of their respective civil aviation authorities.

CAAS said it lifted restrictions after completing technical assessment, which includes evaluating the design changes to the aircraft made by Boeing and approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other validating authorities.

It said it also reviewed the operational data of the aircraft's flights over the past nine months and observed that there have been no notable safety issues.

To date, regulators who have lifted restrictions on the aircraft model include the FAA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

A Boeing spokesperson said it is continuing to work with regulators and customers to return the airplane to service worldwide.

"The CAAS's decision is an important milestone toward safely returning the 737 MAX to service in Singapore," the spokesperson said.

CAAS added that Singapore Airlines (SIA), which has six 737 MAX aircrafts in its fleet, must satisfy CAAS that it has implemented all required actions before it can resume service for the aircrafts.

SIA C6L said it "welcomes the decision by the CAAS" to lift the ban, noting that it has progressively flown its six 737-8 planes back to Singapore from Australia where they were parked in 2019.

It also said it has completed technical modifications and software upgrades to its aircraft, according to the relevant FAA airworthiness directive.

"SIA will continue to work closely with CAAS and the relevant regulators in the coming weeks, to fulfil all of the requirements for the return of service of our 737-8 aircraft," an SIA spokesperson said.

"Further details on SIA's 737-8 operations will be announced at a later date," the spokesperson added.

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