Washington: American Airlines announced on Sunday that it would scrap some 115 flights per day in the coming months because its fleet of Boeing 737 Max planes is being grounded until August 19. America's leading airline had previously only planned to keep the planes out of commission until June 5, with Boeing facing intense scrutiny after 157 people died in an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crash on March 10.

"These 115 flights represent approximately 1.5 per cent of American's total flying each day this summer," American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker said in a statement. But he stressed his confidence in the aircraft overall.