Ethiopian Airlines sees Boeing 737 MAX compensation deal by end-June

Ethiopian Airlines expects a settlement with Boeing by end of June over compensation related to the 737 MAX grounding in March 2019 following two fatal crashes, CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said Friday. Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 bound for Kenya crashed six minutes after take-off from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and crew. It was the second deadly crash of a 737 MAX in less than six months and led to the worldwide grounding of Boeing’s top-selling aircraft. “We have invited Boeing to discuss compensation. It’s compensation for the grounded MAX ... there is also compensation for delayed delivery of the MAX that was supposed to come and loss of revenue,” Tewolde said, adding that it expects compensation by the end of June when its fiscal year closes. Boeing said that it does not comment on its arrangements with particular customers but will continue to work closely with Ethiopian Airlines and others “to reach a fair and reasonable outcome.” Ethiopian has decided not to pursue a lawsuit against Boeing over the 737 MAX crash as it remains a “partner” and Ethiopian uses many of its planes, he said, adding the settlement could be in form of cash or supplies of plane parts. He did not say how much compensation the airline, with four MAX planes in its fleet, was seeking or how many planes it has on order.<br/>