Only the US and Canada left flying the Boeing 737 Max aircraft*

The US and Canada remain the only two country’s left flying the Boeing 737 Max 8 model aircraft in any substantial numbers (*there are a few smaller airlines and nations but very few remaining). Otherwise most of the world’s aviation authorities have either grounded the planes or closed access to their airspace for the operation of the popular new Boeing short-haul workhorse.

As a note of clarification the Boeing 737 MAX class of airplane are a new-generation version of the popular 737 plane that has been flying since the 1960s. They are constructed with lighter materials, have new, lighter, more powerful engines mounted slightly further forward than in past models. The planes are all substantially the same but, for example, the MAX 9 has three more rows of seats compared to the MAX 8 model. But the cockpits, avionics and 99% of the components are identical. The two aircraft that have crashed were both the Max 8 model.

The US Federal Aviation Administration says there is “no basis” to ground the Boeing 737 Max 8 model aircraft.

Daniel K. Elwell, the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, said it has conducted a review of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and found “no basis” to ground the aircraft.

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

“The FAA continues to review extensively all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of the Boeing 737 Max.”

Meanwhile, the European Union has suspended all operations of all Boeing 737 Max aircraft in Europe beginning at 3 p.m. ET, according to a statement.

“As a precautionary measure, EASA has published today an Airworthiness Directive, effective as of 19:00 UTC, suspending all flight operations of all Boeing Model 737-8 Max and 737-9 Max aeroplanes in Europe.”

”The announcement follows a growing tide of European countries that grounded or banned the airplane from flying overhead.

Kuwait’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation said it is suspending operation of all Boeing 737 Max 8 flights until further notice.

The DGCA said it is taking the action after two planes of the same type crashed in the past five months.The ban applies to all Boeing 737 Max 8 flights, including those in transit, the DGCA said.