Financiers, passengers and industry partners are, for now, still backing Ethiopian Airlines' quest to become Africa's dominant carrier, despite a March 10 crash. The causes of the Flight 302 tragedy will likely take months to establish. While much of the international focus has been on Boeing and its 737 MAX 8 jet, the airline's reputation could also hinge on the results of the investigation. Although crash inquiries focus on preventing future accidents rather than attributing liability, any findings that the carrier fell short in plane maintenance or piloting could be damaging. For the present, however, passenger confidence in Ethiopian Airlines, long regarded as one of the most reliable in Africa, has remained steady, according to the company. Cancellation and booking rates are unchanged since the crash, said a spokesman. <br/>
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For years, the airport in Addis Ababa was not just a hub for travellers: It was also a weekend destination. Families would come to see the Ethiopian Airway's Boeings piloted by Africans. Ethiopian Airlines is not just an airline. It is an emblem of a country whose self-esteem is high, whatever its daily struggles. And for Ethiopians, Boeing is a name is synonymous with jets roaring through the sky — and with Ethiopian Airlines, too. Now, the long love affair between a country and its airplanes is being put to the test. Last week, a Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after take-off in Ethiopia, just 5 months after an identical Boeing crashed in Indonesia. With investigators looking into the possibility that a design flaw played a role in both disasters, Boeing is now in a harsh spotlight. Ethiopian Airlines may have sustained a serious blow as well. <br/>
ANA was named the cleanest airline in the world, as part of the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2018. The carrier claimed the top spot ahead of EVA Air and Asiana Airlines in a top 30 list dominated by Asian companies. Passengers were asked to rate the standard and quality of aircraft cabins for a global survey conducted by Skytrax. SIA, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, SWISS, Hainan Airlines and Lufthansa make up the rest of the top 10. Top-rated airlines for cleanliness by continent included South African Airways in Africa, Air NZ in Australia/Pacific, Air Canada in North America, Azul Airlines in South America and SWISS in Europe. Cleanliness is a real concern for air travellers, with airports and planes seen as potential breeding grounds for bacteria. <br/>
Air Canada is removing flights on Boeing 737 Max aircraft from its bookings until July 1 as the airline is uncertain how long the 24 Max 8 aircraft in its fleet will remain grounded for safety reasons. The airline says the 737 Max impacts 6% of its planned flights, so it has adjusted its schedule through 30 April with the aim of covering 98% of planned flights. Uncertainty about the safety of the Max aircraft also led Air Canada March 15 to suspend all financial guidance provided in February for 2019, while keeping financial guidance intact for 2020 and 2021. Air Canada airline is substituting the 737 Max with different aircraft. The airline is also taking steps to speed the entry into its fleet Airbus A321 aircraft acquired from Wow Air. <br/>