CI flight provider changes plane after deadly Boeing crash

Wednesday 13 March 2019

The airline operating flights from the Channel Islands to Tenerife has changed its aircraft after the safety of the Boeing 737 Max was thrown into doubt following the deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash.

The FlyDirect route operates out of Jersey, with connections from Guernsey.

But the people who had booked with the travel operator to fly off on a sunshine break this year have had their plans altered slightly, as aviation authorities across the globe have been ordering the grounding of the type of plane they were due to fly on, after the Ethiopian flight provider's plane crashed minutes after taking off, killing all 157 people on board.

It was the second disaster in less than six months involving the Boeing 737 Max.

The same aircraft has been used to operate Jersey's 'FlyDirect' route to Tenerife each Monday through airline Smartwings.

Pictured: The FlyDirect route from Jersey to Tenerife, with connections from Guernsey, is scheduled through to 29 April.

However, CI Travel Group, which is responsible for the route, has announced that the plane would be changing from next Monday onwards.

Managing Director Robert Mackenzie commented: "Following the tragic events in Ethiopia over the weekend, we are aware that the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft type currently operated by Smartwings for the FlyDirect Tenerife programme has been stopped from operating within UK airspace by the CAA.

"We are in contact with Smartwings regarding the operation of the programme and they have confirmed that flights from next Monday onwards will be operated as planned, with an alternative aircraft type."

He added: "The safety and wellbeing of our customers remains our primary concern."

So far, the governments and aviation authorities that have stopped the Boeing 737 Max from flying include: the UK Civil Aviation Authority, France, Germany, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a "continued airworthiness notification", meaning that airlines are still allowed to operate the aircraft.

Pictured: The type of aircraft – a Boeing 737 Max – that will no longer be used to fly to Tenerife from Jersey. (Acefitt/Wiki)