Recent Dismissal of Air China’s Boeing 737 Licenses
Regulators Take a Hard Drive at Air China
On July 18, 2018, Shanghai’s air traffic watchdog announced that Air China’s entire Boeing 737 fleet will have its flight hours slashed by 10%. Moreover, the pilot and co‑pilot who were involved in last week’s emergency descent will lose their licenses, as state TV reported.
The Crash‑Course Spirit
To keep the skies safe for a solid three months, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has announced a full‑scale safety crackdown on the carrier. The airline also faces a 50,000‑yuan fine (about S$10,200).
What Exactly Went Wrong?
- On July 10 an Air China Boeing 737 took off from Hong Kong bound for Dalian, China.
- Mid‑flight, the aircraft suddenly dropped to 10,000 feet (roughly 3,048 meters).
- Acronyms fly out of the cabin – oxygen masks were deployed fast, but the plane managed to climb back up and reach its destination safely.
Smoking the Trouble
Investigators found the root cause: a co‑pilot smoked an e‑cigarette during the flight. The smoke disrupted cabin pressure and triggered the unexpected descent.
Meanwhile, the airline’s accountability measures will keep the public’s trust sitting in the cockpit, ensuring no more “high‑speed” smoke‑in‑the‑air incidents. Stay tuned for updates on Air China’s compliance and safety reforms.
