Flydubai says fleet unaffected by potential 737 Max electric issue

Boeing wrote to 16 customers about a possible problem with a backup power control unit concerning a specific group of jets

A Flydubai 737 Max jet. The budget airline has 14 of the Boeing aircraft. Reuters.

Flydubai said its fleet of 14 Boeing 737 Max planes is not affected by a potential electric fault flagged by the US manufacturer in some of the planes.

Boeing told 16 airlines to address a potential electrical issue in a specific group of 737 Max planes prior to further operations, according to a company statement on April 9.

"Following a briefing from Boeing we can confirm that none of Flydubai’s fleet of Max aircraft are affected," an airline spokesman said in an email.

Flydubai, the only operator of the 737 Max in the UAE and among the biggest customers of the plane worldwide, resumed flights with the narrow-body jet on April 8 following a grounding lasting nearly two years.

Boeing's best-selling aircraft was grounded globally in March 2019 following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.

"We are working closely with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on this production issue," Boeing said of the electrical glitch. "We are also informing our customers of specific tail numbers affected and we will provide direction on appropriate corrective actions."

Boeing recommended the airlines check that "sufficient ground path exists for a component of the electrical power system".

The FAA said Boeing notified the agency late on April 8 that it is recommending that operators of certain 737 Max planes temporarily remove them from service to address a manufacturing issue that could affect the operation of a backup power control unit, the regulator said in a statement.

"The FAA is in contact with the airlines and the manufacturer and will ensure the issue is addressed," it said. "Passengers should contact their airlines about specific flight cancellations or delays."