Update (10:05 am ET): President Trump - now an aeronautics expert - has decided to chip in with some comments regarding Boeing's bans: "Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly. Pilots are no longer needed, but rather computer scientists from MIT...often old and simpler is far better"
Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly. Pilots are no longer needed, but rather computer scientists from MIT. I see it all the time in many products. Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better. Split second decisions are....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2019
Trump then added that :"I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Albert Einstein to be my pilot."
....needed, and the complexity creates danger. All of this for great cost yet very little gain. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Albert Einstein to be my pilot. I want great flying professionals that are allowed to easily and quickly take control of a plane!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2019
Boeing shares have extended their drop to over 5%.
* * *
Update (9:45 am ET): And Norway joins the fray: Norwegian Airlines announced that it will stop flight with 18 aircraft on recommendation from European air safety authorities, E24 reports, citing a statement from company; the news sent Norwegian's stock as much as 9.2% lower. Norwegian has 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8 in its fleet today. The total order of these aircraft is 110.
Following the decision by the relevant aviation regulatory bodies to temporarily suspend operations of Boeing 737 MAX, Norwegian announced it would not operate any flights with this aircraft type until further notice. We remain in close dialogue with the aviation authorities and Boeing, and follow their instructions and recommendations.
Norwegian has more than 110 Boeing 737–800 aircraft in its fleet, which are not affected by this temporary suspension.
"We would like to apologize to customers who will be affected by temporary cancellations and delays, but the safety and security of our customers and colleagues will never be compromised, and once authorities advise to cease operations we will of course comply", the company said.
Tomas Hesthammer, Norwegian’s acting Chief Operating Officer said:
“In response to the temporary suspension of Being 737 MAX operations by multiple aviation authorities we have taken the decision to not operate flights using this aircraft type, until advised otherwise by the relevant aviation authorities. We would like to apologize to customers for any inconvenienced caused, however, safety will always remain our top priority.”
* * *
Update (09:30 am ET): The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued instructions to stop any commercial passenger flights from any operator arriving, departing or overflying UK airspace. A spokesperson for...