Virgin Australia mulls dumping Boeing 737 MAX 8s order

Virgin Australia has given its strongest indication yet it’s ready to scrap its order for Boeing 737 MAX 8s.

Virgin has given its strongest indication yet it will scrap its order of Boeing 737 MAX 8s. Picture: Bloomberg

Virgin Australia has given its strongest indication yet it’s ready to scrap its order for Boeing 737 MAX 8s, saying it won’t introduce any new aircraft to its fleet unless its completely satisfied of their safety.

The airline has 30 of the aircraft on order with the first — worth about $172 million — due to be delivered in November.

Yesterday Virgin Australia said the delivery date later this year would give it time to consider the outcome of crash investigations and reassess.

However mounting global concern about the aircraft following two fatal crashes in five months, has resulted in a series of bans on their operation.

“There are currently no Boeing 737 MAX 8 in our fleet,” said the updated statement from Virgin Australia.

A Boeing 737 Max 8. Picture: AFP

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to work with Boeing, CASA and other relevant authorities as more information becomes available.”

Overnight the UK joined Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, China and Ethiopia in temporarily suspending operations of Boeing 737 MAX 8s in or out of their airspace.

The US continues to stand firm following a Federal Aviation Administration notice to the international community advising of the aircraft’s airworthiness.

An updated statement from the FAA today said the regulator continued to review all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of Boeing 737 MAX.

“Thus far, our review shows no systemic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft,” the statement said.

“Nor have other civil aviation authorities provided data to us that would warrant action.”