Norwegian Air asks Boeing for compensation
Norwegian Air’s Max 8 aircraft
(CNS): The European budget carrier Norwegian Air is the first airline to make a public demand of Boeing for compensation over its grounded fleet of eighteen 737 Max 8 jets in the wake of a second fatal crash of the same model in less than five months. Norwegian is the first airline to say publicly that it will demand that the manufacturer pays for lost flight time, but it is not expected to be the last. The airline’s CEO, Bjørn Kjos, made a recorded message which was transmitted to its customers via Twitter Thursday explaining the situation.
“It is quite obvious we will not take the cost related to the new aircraft that we have to park temporarily,” Kjos said. “We will send this bill to those who produce this aircraft.”
India’s SpiceJet, another low-cost carrier, also said Thursday that it will seek compensation from Boeing and demand credit on maintenance, repair, and overhaul for its 12 grounded 737 Max aircraft.
CNS contacted Cayman Airways Ltd for an update on their situation, as it is a very small airline with two brand new jets on the ground. But officials confirmed that its existing older 737 aircraft, which the second Max 8 was to replace, was still in Cayman and remains in service, making the impact of the grounding less severe than it could have been.
However there will still be instances where CAL flights are cancelled or changed, depending on aircraft availability.
“We will communicate any changes to the affected passengers prior to their flight. There may also be instances where we have to contract with another carrier to provide ‘Substitute Service’ for certain flights,” a CAL spokesperson said.
The airline has not yet said if it will be seeking compensation.
Following the fatal crash of the Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 on Sunday, when the 737 Max 8 jet it was operating plunged to the ground minutes after takeoff, killing everyone on board, airlines and aviation authorities began grounding the aircraft.
But as the grounding of these planes looks increasingly likely to last for many weeks, the question of how airlines and especially smaller airlines will manage with these planes out of service are beginning to be asked and directed towards Boeing.
Meanwhile, reports are emerging that US pilots registered complaints at least five times in recent months about problems controlling their Boeing 737 Max 8 jets. Some of the incidents appear to involve the same anti-stall system that has come up as a potential cause of October’s Indonesia crash, and early reports suggest the Ethiopian Airline pilots had also reported flight control problems moments before the crash.
CNS has also asked CAL if their pilots flying the new Max since the first one arrived in November had reported any technical issues with the planes and we are awaiting a response.
Rightly so…da rass.
They had one job; fly.
They failed.
Pay up, and disappear forevermore.
Condolences to the grieving families.
– Who
I think they should take this planes back, get reimbursement and buy the A320NEO.
Easy for you to say change company’s. The cost would put the airline in way more debt. Change of ground equipment and tools at all gateways would be out of sight.
I think that Cayman should not only ask for compensation for losses while planes are grounded but should also ask for total refund of the cost of the planes and tell them to come get their planes ASAP
CAL planes are leased not owned #facepalm
What am i missing? Why would they NOT seek compensation?? And then return these lemons at the first available oppportunity!
8.52pm Of course Boeing would have to provide the pilots.
I doubt Cayman Airways will release any incidents to the public. That would be catastrophic to future business.
By law, CAL is required to inform the CAACA of any incidents. It would then be up to the CAACA to make this information public. One could still get this information via FOI. Note this route does go through channels with the governor, and not the main stem of your average FOI request. Expect delays…
Interestingly… when Harrison splashed the 737-300 back in the 90’s…the incident didn’t show up on the international airline incident list . Not sure if it has been subsequently listed.
It’s CAACI, not CAACA Mr. expert.
An honest mistake in which I was unable to edit Mr. Tomlinson, I’m sure the general public was aware of the authority I was citing. A bit rude in your reply, but I appreciate your cander. I hope your attitude does not in any way mislead any international readers of CNS of our “Cayman Kind” towards each other and others. Have a great day.
You’re a class act, Sir. REspect.
candor not cander…
Mr Whorms please take note. I know you always help yourself to the CIG kitty, but here’s a chance to look elsewhere to recoup your losses.