[Photo] Should airlines continue flying the Boeing 737 Max 8?

Following a tragic crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, observers are increasingly questioning the safety of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and asking why airlines continue to fly them. The crash in Ethiopia marked the second time a 737 Max 8 has crashed in less than six months, following a crash over the Java Sea in October 2018.

South Korean airlines Korean Air, Jeju Air, T’Way Air and Eastar Jet have recently signed contracts to purchase Boeing 737 Max 8 planes as part of their fleets. Eastar Jet is already operating two 737 Max 8s. An Eastar spokesperson has commented that the cause of the accident in Ethiopia remains unclear, making it difficult to comment on the airline’s use of the Boeing 737 Max 8.

Korean Air, Jeju Air and T’Way Air were originally scheduled to begin flights of their 737 Max 8s this year, but have announced that they will await the results of investigations regarding the safety of the aircraft.