A Boeing 737 MAX 8 is pictured outside the factory on March 11, 2019 in Renton, Washington.
Boeing confirmed the Federal Aviation Administration's announcement late Monday that it will deploy a software upgrade across the 737 MAX 8 fleet"in the coming weeks" as pressure mounted. Two U.S. senators called the fleet's immediate grounding and a rising number of airlines said they would voluntarily ground their fleets.
The FAA said the changes will"provide reduced reliance on procedures associated with required pilot memory items." "If the FAA identifies an issue that affects safety, the department will take immediate and appropriate action," Chao told reporters."I want people to be assured that we take these incidents, these accidents very seriously."
Canada's transport minister also said he will not hesitate to act once the cause of the crash is known. Sara Nelson, the president of Association of Flight Attendants union, wrote the FAA on Monday asking it to conduct a comprehensive review and"take steps immediately to address concerns and ensure the safety of the 737 MAX fleet."