CHINA’S three biggest airlines have requested compensation from U.S. planemaker Boeing Co. for losses incurred by the grounding and delayed deliveries of 737 MAX jets.

Domestic media yesterday reported that Air China Ltd. and China Southern Airlines Co. have added their voices to a request from China Eastern Airlines Corp. a day earlier.

Xinhua yesterday quoted China Eastern as saying that grounding Boeing 737 MAX planes “had resulted in great losses for the company, and the losses are still expanding.” It said the airline declined to disclose details of a letter of claim that was sent to Boeing.

China Eastern has grounded 14 MAX planes while Boeing addresses the safety risks.

An employee of Air China’s publicity department said yesterday the carrier also has asked Boeing for compensation for disruption due to delays in delivery of new aircraft.

China was the first country to ground the 737 MAX globally after a crash in Ethiopia killed 157 people in March, in the second such incident for Boeing’s newest aircraft.

The compensation requests come as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration hosts global regulators in Dallas to review 737 MAX software and training proposals from Boeing before deciding whether and when to end the two-month grounding.

The International Air Transport Association has convened a meeting of airlines with grounded 737 MAX jets for the same day in Montreal.

Other carriers including Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Ryanair and Flydubai have also asked Boeing for compensation. (SD-Agencies)