Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

SHENZHEN Airlines and its subsidiary Kunming Airlines have sought compensation from Boeing for losses after the grounding of its 737 MAX aircraft following two major crashes.

The company filed a claim against Boeing on Thursday for losses caused by the suspension of seven 737 MAX aircraft, including two owned by Kunming Airlines, since March 11 and the delayed delivery of a model it had booked earlier, a release from the company said.

Boeing 737 MAX aircraft were grounded worldwide after two fatal crashes in Ethiopia on March 10 and in Indonesia on Oct. 20, 2018. China was the first country to take action following the two crashes by grounding the aircraft from commercial flight.

Shenzhen Airlines is the latest in China to have joined the “big three” Chinese Airlines in seeking compensation from Boeing.

The three Chinese carriers, China Eastern, China Southern and Air China, operate 53 of the 96 737 Max planes currently grounded.

According to a report quoting China aviation expert Li Xiaojin, the daily losses per aircraft for each airline are estimated at 100,000 yuan (US$14,490).

Carriers outside China have also asked Boeing for compensation, including Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Ryanair and Flydubai.