Ethiopian Airlines crash: Australia bars all Boeing 737 MAX planes from its airspace

Fiji Airlines is the only 737 MAX operator affected by the Australian ban, according to CASA.

A Boeing 737 MAX takes off during a flight test in Renton, Washington January 29, 2016. (File | Reuters) 

SYDNEY: Australia on Tuesday barred Boeing 737 MAX planes from its airspace, joining a host of countries which have blocked the model after the deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash at the weekend.

"This is a temporary suspension while we wait for more information to review the safety risks of continued operations of the Boeing 737 MAX to and from Australia," Shane Carmody, CEO of Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority, said in a statement.

READ | Ethiopian Airlines crash: List of nations grounding their Boeing 737s

"CASA regrets any inconvenience to passengers but believes it is important to always put safety first."

Fiji Airlines is the only 737 MAX operator affected by the Australian ban, according to CASA. Singapore-based SilkAir used the planes for flights to Australia, but those were already suspended after the city-state barred the model from its airspace.