UAE - Mubasher: The UAE-based carrier flydubai is preparing the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to rejoin its fleet for passenger service following a 20-month review to safely return the aircraft to service.

This step came after the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had lifted the ban on the aircraft, which was grounded globally in March 2019 following the death of 346 people in two crashes in five months, according to a press release on Thursday.

Globally, the return of the Boeing 737 MAX to service was also approved by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and other regulators.

Meanwhile, flydubai pilots will receive additional classroom and full-motion simulator training before flying the aircraft. 

Flydubai confirmed that it is too early to announce the return date of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The CEO of flydubai, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: "The Boeing 737 MAX is an integral part of flydubai’s fleet and I have full confidence in the aircraft as it returns to passenger service.  Safety is the founding principle of our business."

Al Ghaith added: "The GCAA has played a key role alongside other regulators during the 20-month review of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft."