CAAS Lifts Restrictions on Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft Operations
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has lifted the restrictions on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operations into and out of Singapore with effect from 6 September 2021. The restrictions were previously imposed on 12 March 2019 in light of two fatal accidents involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
2. CAAS made the decision to lift the restrictions after completing its technical assessment, which included an evaluation of the design changes to the aircraft made by Boeing and approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other validating authorities. CAAS also reviewed the operational data of flights of the aircraft that had resumed service over the past nine months and observed that there have been no notable safety issues.
3. To effect the lifting of restrictions, CAAS issued Directive 13/2021 on 6 September 2021. Under the Directive, Singapore air operators intending to operate Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are required to comply with and implement all the required actions stated in FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-24-02 and CAAS Directive 13/2021. This includes establishing a flight crew training programme approved by CAAS that comprises ground and flight training elements specified in the FAA’s special training for Boeing 737 MAX flight crew1, with additional simulator training to ensure that pilots are adequately trained on workload management when handling aircraft emergencies. In particular, Singapore Airlines must satisfy CAAS that it has complied with and implemented all the required actions stated in FAA AD 2020-24-02 and CAAS Directive 13/2021 before its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft can return to service.
4. Foreign airlines intending to operate Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into Singapore must comply with CAAS’ requirements under paragraph 87A of the Air Navigation Order, as well as the FAA AD 2020-24-02 and other requirements of their respective civil aviation authorities. To date, the regulators who have lifted restrictions on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operations include the FAA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.
5. Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, said, “Aviation safety is paramount. CAAS has taken extra care to assess, monitor and ensure that due diligence has been done and that the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft can operate safely, before lifting restrictions on the aircraft operations into and out of Singapore.”
1 Appendix 7 of the FAA Flight Standardization Board Report, Revision 17 dated 16 November 2020.
About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation.