In response to the recent mid-air door blowout incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, Turkish Airlines has taken the precautionary measure of temporarily withdrawing its own fleet of five Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspections.
The decision comes after Alaska Airlines grounded its Boeing 737 Max 9 jets following the emergency landing caused by a cabin panel blowout. The incident has raised concerns globally, prompting airlines to prioritize safety checks.
Turkish Airlines spokesperson, Yahya Üstün, confirmed the decision on the social media platform X, stating, “Following the incident on Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, 5 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in the Turkish Airlines fleet were requested to be examined as a precaution. Until the technical review process is completed, Turkish Airlines has decided to withdraw these aircraft from operation.”
In the wake of the incident, US regulators have temporarily grounded 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners for safety checks. The move aims to address concerns arising from the cabin panel blowout, emphasizing the need for thorough inspections to ensure passenger safety.
China is also reportedly considering action against the aircraft model after the Alaska Airlines incident. In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all Indian airlines to conduct a one-time inspection of emergency exits on Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft in their fleets.
This development echoes the precautionary measures taken in 2019 when the entire Boeing 737 Max fleet was temporarily grounded after two fatal crashes.
