Boeing 737 Max 8: China Air Transport Association supports airline compensation requests

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China Air Transport Association announces its support for 11 Chinese airlines seeking compensation from plane maker Boeing. The demands come after the suspension of the Boeing 737 Max jet. 96 of the jets have been grounded by Chinese airlines since March 11th, with more groundings expected. CGTN reporter Ning Hong has more.

Chinese owns the world's largest fleet of Boeing 737 Max airliners, 96 of the jets have been grounded by Chinese airlines since March 11th.

LIU SHUGUO, SECRETARY-GENERAL, CHINA AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION "Chinese air transport companies are the biggest users of Boeing 737 Max8 jets. By the end of June, the suspension will have caused an estimated loss of four billion yuan to our member airlines."

The announcement from the China Air Transport Association comes ahead of a scheduled delivery of 130 more Boeing 737 MAX airliners later this year. Li says the losses are likely to mount as the suspension goes on.

LIU SHUGUO, SECRETARY-GENERAL, CHINA AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION "We hope Boeing will honor the compensation request by our member companies, and resolve this issue lawfully and reasonably."

Such cases aren't without precedent, in 2013, several Boeing 787s were grounded due to battery troubles. Japan Airlines, and other carriers demanded compensation from Boeing.

NING HONG BEIJING "Today's announcement comes after a series of declarations made by 13 Chinese airlines, this week. As the China Air Transport Association said that it can not ignore these appeals and will focus on this issue until it is resolved, Ning Hong, CGTN, Beijing."