Egypt's civil aviation ministry said Wednesday it would bar all flights by Boeing Co 737 MAX planes from its airspace and airports after a crash in Ethiopia that killed 157 people. Sunday's crash, which claimed the lives of six Egyptians among the casualties, was the second since October involving that type of aircraft. The ministry "has taken a precautionary decision in favor of passenger and aviation safety by barring the passage, landing and takeoff of Boeing B737/Max aircraft in the Egyptian airspace and airports," the ministry said in a statement. Egypt's state-owned flag carrier EgyptAir does not own that type of plane and does not plan to include it in its future plans to develop its air fleet, the ministry said, reiterating what the company had announced. No other Egyptian companies own the aircraft as shown in Egypt's aircraft register, the ministry's statement added. A safety evaluation of the operation of that aircraft model is underway with the involvement of international civil aviation authorities, the aircraft manufacturer and relevant safety agencies. The decision by Egypt is part of a move by countries around the world to ban the disputed aircraft. The European Union's Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended all flights in the bloc by the 737 MAX. UK, China, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, India and others have temporarily barred the plane.
