The American company Southwest Airlines does not expect to be able to use its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft until 13 April. That is a month longer than the airline had previously estimated.
Planes of the 737 MAX type have been on the ground since March, after two fatal crashes had occurred with the aircraft within the five-month period. Boeing must first correct technical defects in the aircraft from aviation authorities before the 737 MAX is allowed to fly again.
Southwest says the deadline in which it does not count on 737 MAX is being extended by that “continuing uncertainty” about the model’s return. Of all airlines, Southwest has the most aircraft of the offending type in its fleet. Earlier, American Airlines and Icelandair, among others, announced that they would no longer count on the 737 MAX.