CHICAGO - United Airlines is following Southwest and American Airlines in delaying the return of the Boeing 737 Max on its flight schedules into early March. United is pulling the jets off its schedule until March 4, the company said Friday. It expects to cancel approximately 5,100 flights in November and December and roughly 3,468 flights in 2020, writes Ganesh Setty for CNBC. Continue reading original article
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
November 18, 2019- “For more than 90 years, the safety of our customers and employees at United has come first, which is why we have cooperated fully with the FAA’s independent review of the MAX aircraft, and we won’t put our customers and employees on that plane until regulators make their own independent assessment that it is safe to do so,” United said in a press release.
Safety was a sentiment echoed by Federal Aviation Administration administrator Steve Dixon, himself a longtime commercial pilot.
"I know there is a lot of pressure to return this aircraft to service quickly," Dickson said in a video message to FAA employees. "But I want you to know that I want you to take the time you need and focus solely on safety. I’ve got your back."
Related: Boeing lists 'five milestones' to hit before Max returns to the skies
Related: Damning report faults Boeing and F.A.A. on 737 Max certification
Related: In brutal Senate hearing, Boeing admits its safety assessments of 737 Max fell short
Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
