Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's most profitable aviation group, flew its Boeing 737 MAX jet for the first time on February 01, 2021 after the crash two years ago that have claimed the lives of 157 people.
A decision that have received a mixed reaction among the public, the management of the Airlines added the 737 MAX to their regular schedule after assessing the modification and restructuring process of the aircraft.
"Ethiopian Airlines has returned its Boeing 737 MAX back to the skies today with the airline's board chairman and executives, Boeing executives, ministers, ambassadors, government officials, journalists and customers onboard the first flight," the group said in a press release.
On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed after departing Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, a situation that have forced Ethiopia's flag carrier, along with many other airlines worldwide, to ground Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts.
"Safety is the top most priority at Ethiopian Airlines and it guides every decision we make and all actions we take," said Tewolde Gebremariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
The demonstration flight, where journalists, diplomats and officials on board and was initially scheduled to reach neighbouring Kenya but remained within Ethiopia due to poor weather, according to officials.