Boeing says it will suspend production of its 737 MAX passenger jet from next month. It cites delays in getting clearance to put the aircraft back into service.
This comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration said on December 11 it had yet to set a date for giving the green light.
A Malaysian carrier was the first to put the aircraft into service in 2017. The 737 MAX was Boeing's best-selling plane in 2018, based on number of orders received.
But then crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed more than 340 people. That prompted the FAA to ground the plane worldwide in March.
Japan's transport ministry says no domestic carriers are currently using the 737 MAX.
But All Nippon Airways has announced plans to introduce up to 30 planes on domestic routes from the fiscal year starting in 2021. Skymark Airlines has said it's considering buying the MAX to replace its current 737 planes. These carriers will now likely need to review their plans.
NHK
