Chinese airlines seek damages over grounding of 737 MAX jets

Beijing, May 22 

China is stepping up pressure on Boeing Co. as its airlines demand compensation for the grounding of 737 Max jetliners after fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia.

Two of three major state-owned carriers — Air China Ltd. and China Southern Airlines Ltd. — said today hat they want compensation for their aircraft being grounded. The third, China Eastern Airlines Ltd., announced a similar request last month.

China is, along with North America and Europe, one of the biggest markets for jetliners. That makes its response critical for Boeing.

It was among the first countries to ground the 737 Max in March following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed a total of 346 people.

Investigators have suggested a flight-control system was to blame for both 737 Max crashes. “We must use punishment and tell the Americans their practice of using concealment and fraud to extract benefits from others, while benefiting themselves, is unfair,” said the Global Times newspaper, which is published by the ruling Communist Party and known for its nationalistic tone.

Air China, which has 15 of the 737 Max jets, also wants compensation for delays in aircraft deliveries.

China Southern wants compensation for disruption due to being unable to use its 737 Max planes, said an employee of its publicity department. He would give only his surname, Wang. — PTI