Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 Diverts to Honolulu Following Engine Issue

Why it matters locally: Southwest Airlines operates a significant number of flights in and out of Texas airports, and the grounding of its 34 Boeing MAX 8 aircraft could potentially impact travel plans for Texans.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft declared an emergency and diverted its flight to Honolulu. The incident occurred after an engine on the aircraft experienced a performance issue, according to a statement from Southwest Airlines. Following the event, Southwest Airlines removed its 34 Boeing MAX 8 aircraft from scheduled service. The airline's fleet includes over 750 Boeing 737s in total. The specific aircraft involved in the diversion made an emergency landing in Orlando.