The likelihood of the Boeing 737 returning to Nigerian skies diminishes further as airlines encounter life-threatening incidents linked to the aircraft type. In the latest setback, an Alaska Airlines flight using the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft had to make an emergency landing due to a cabin panel blowout on Friday.
The Boeing 737 MAX had faced a global grounding from March 2019 to December 2020, extended in many regions after two fatal crashes claimed 346 lives. The recent cabin panel incident prompted US regulators to order a temporary grounding of certain planes for safety checks, though not as extensive as the previous worldwide grounding.
The revelation of loose bolts on several 737 MAX 9 aircraft operated by United Airlines raises concerns about the production process and safety of these planes. Approximately 171 Boeing MAX jets, featuring the problematic plug door, are subject to safety checks.
Notably, Nigerian airlines have omitted the Boeing 737 MAX from recent orders, despite its advanced features and global popularity. Five years ago, Air Peace placed orders for 10 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth around $1.13 billion, but delivery has been stalled due to issues with the aircraft type.
While Air Peace spokesperson Stanley Olisa confirmed the active status of the orders for Max 8 and Max 10, the absence of a delivery date raises questions about the ongoing challenges with the Boeing 737 MAX. The airline, in 2021, opted for five new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, marking a significant move amid uncertainties surrounding the Boeing model.
