Boeing 737 max aircraft operations temporarily suspended

New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended the operation of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to or from New Zealand until more information is known about the cause of the Ethiopian Airlines accident. This is in line with the stance taken by many aviation regulators and airlines globally.

Currently this suspension affects only one operator to New Zealand, Fiji Airways. There are no other airlines that fly this aircraft type to New Zealand. While restrictions are in place, Fiji Airways are doing everything possible to ensure minimal disruption for passengers. They have advised their existing aircraft fleet will be used to replace flights which were to be operated by the 737 MAX 8s. They have no intention to cancel services.  

It’s important travellers remember this does not affect all Fiji Airways flights into and out of New Zealand, only ones that were due to operate the 737 Max 8 aircraft.

At the time of sending, countries that have grounded the 737 MAX aircraft globally, include New Zealand, Australia, China, European Union (all member nations), Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, South Korea and Turkey.

Airlines that have grounded their 737 MAX fleets outside of nationwide groundings include Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Cayman Airways, Comair, Ethiopian Airlines, Gol Linhas Aereas, Icelandair, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Norwegian and Royal Air Maroc.

Major flight disruptions are unlikely but there is potential for disruption to travel as airlines work to replace the aircraft in a timely manner.

We are monitoring the situation closely and in constant communication with the relevant airlines across the globe. Updated information is distributed nationwide to our Travel Managers as it becomes available.