EU News Digest Latest News & Updates
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
An American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8, on a flight from Miami to New York City, comes in for landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York, March 12, 2019.
President Donald Trump said he issued an executive order Wednesday grounding all Boeing 737 Max jets, following the second major crash within five months.
“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 in Washington on Wednesday.
The move marks a stunning turnaround from the U.S., which has watched dozens of countries around the world ground the planes after the second deadly crash of the new aircraft in less than five months.
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.
Shares of Boeing slipped by more than 2 percent after Trump’s announcement. Southwest Airlines
Of the more than 350 Boeing 737 Max jets in global fleets, 74 are flown by U.S. airlines, according to the FAA. Those include United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
“Boeing is an incredible company. They are working very, very hard right now,” he added.
The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
