| We all remain concerned about the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew of our Star Alliance partner, Ethiopian Airlines following the loss of ET 302 which crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya on March 10, 2019. All of us in the aviation industry have heavy hearts from the loss of life and there are no words to capture our sadness upon learning there were no survivors. Seeking to provide employees an update, United management has acknowledged the media & industry speculation about the safety of Boeing’s MAX aircraft. Reiterating that United’s number one priority is the safety of our passengers and employees, United also pointed to the experience level of our pilots and confirmed their pride in the “best pilots in the industry.” At the same time, the FAA has reiterated that the 737 MAX fleet remains airworthy and safe to operate. United continues to monitor information from the ongoing investigation in Ethiopia while maintaining close contact with the FAA, NTSB and other safety & regulatory authorities as well as Boeing. While United does not have any of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft in the fleet, there are 14 737 MAX 9 aircraft in the fleet. United has made a commitment to provide updates on any developments from the continuing investigation. At the same time, our AFA International Office stresses it is important that we not draw premature conclusions without all the facts. In the wake of a second accident involving the 737 MAX 8, regulators, manufacturers,and airlines must take steps to address concerns immediately. AFA has made a formal request for the FAA to conduct an investigation into the 737 MAX. We will remain focused in our efforts to ensure these investigations are undertaken. We recognize that the media attention & speculation without adequate information to help us understand what happened in this incident has the potential to create uncertainty. We remind you that our EAP Professionals remain available to assist anyone in need. Should you require assistance, contact AFA Employee Assistance/Professional Standards at 800 424 2406. |