[HOT NEWS] Boeing 737 Max 9 jets to stay grounded after mid-air blowout

The US aviation regulator has said that 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes will remain grounded until it is satisfied the planes are safe.

It comes after part of an Alaska Airlines plane's fuselage fell off on Friday, while the aircraft was mid-flight.

While no-one was seriously hurt and the aircraft landed safely, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been inspecting the jets in order to “keep the flying public safe”.

But, with dozens of aircraft grounded, it has led to significant disruption to flight schedules, primarily in the US – with Alaska Airlines and United Airlines among the biggest customers for the affected Max 9 aircraft.