Britain to ban ALL Boeing 737 Max jets from its airspace following Ethiopian Airlines disaster

Britain has banned all Boeing 737 Max jets from flying in its airspace - the latest in a growing number of nations grounding the aircraft in the wake of the Ethiopian air disaster.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority took the action, described as 'a precautionary measure', after an Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed killing all 157 on board on Sunday - the second disaster involving a Max 8 model in under five months. 

Britain has now joined Australia, Singapore, China, Malaysia and Oman in grounding the jets. Major airlines from North America to the Middle East have, however, continued to fly the aircraft.

Tui Airways has the only five 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by a UK-based airline, and confirmed the planes have been grounded following the CAA's decision.  

Norwegian Air, the other major operator of Max 8s in the UK, confirmed they too had suspended flights with the jets following a recommendation from European aviation authorities. 

It comes as pressure continues to mount on Boeing after more airlines and countries grounded their fleets of 737 Max 8 jets and as shares in the firm crashed for the second time in two days with $20 billion wiped off the firm's value.

Boeing's stock fell 3.2 to $387.10 minutes after the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange today, adding to a 5 per cent decline on Monday.  

MailOnline