US President Donald Trump announced his decision on Wednesday to ground all Boeing 737 MAX jets, following the second major crash within five months.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019
"We're gonna be issuing an emergency order of prohibition to ground all flights of the 737 Max 8 and the 737 Max 9 and planes associated with that line,"
Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.
The move marks a stunning turnaround from the U.S, which has stood by the American-made aircraft, as dozens of countries around the world grounded the planes.
Trump said he had spoke with Boeing's CEO, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the acting head of the FAA, Daniel Elwell.
"They are all in agreement with the action. Any plane currently in the air will go to its destination and thereafter be grounded until further notice,"
he said.
Boeing said it decided to ground its global fleet of 737 MAX aircraft in an "abundance of caution" after talking with U.S. aviation regulators.
"On behalf of the entire Boeing team, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in these two tragic accidents. We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again." Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement.
Of the more than 370 Boeing 737 Max jets in global fleets, 74 are flown by U.S. airlines, according to the FAA. Those include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.
Below are the Boeing and FAA twitter statements:
In Consultation with the FAA, NTSB and its Customers, Boeing Supports Action to Temporarily Ground 737 MAX Operations: https://t.co/YGgmgAZK3O pic.twitter.com/5bnxevuzlD
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) March 13, 2019
#FAA statement on the temporary grounding of @Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in a U.S. territory. pic.twitter.com/tCxSakbnbH
— The FAA (@FAANews) March 13, 2019