Most P&W engine issues addressed, says Jayant Sinha
MUMBAI: The minister of state for aviation, Jayant Sinha, said on Tuesday that four of the five issues related to the Pratt and Whitney engines on Airbus A320neo aircraft have been addressed.
The fifth issue, which is related to the engine’s gearbox, is being addressed, he said.
Domestic airlines such as IndiGo and GoAir have had several flights grounded during the last few months due to the Pratt and Whitney engine glitches. The engines were inducted in early 2016.
“The DGCA is expected to issue further directives regarding this shortly,” Sinha added.
The aviation minister was speaking at the governmentbacked Global Aviation Summit 2019 where the civil aviation ministry released a vision document for the civil aviation industry.
The Vision 2040 report said India’s air passenger traffic is expected to grow sixfold to 1.1 billion per year by 2040.
The report, prepared by consultancy firm KPMG and industry body Ficci, added that the Indian commercial air fleet is expected to be 2,359 by March 2040. India is also expected to have 190-200 operational airports by 2040. The report also said that Delhi and Mumbai could have three airports each.
It said India may consider investments of up to $2 billion for low traffic airports, excluding land acquisition costs. Besides, it recommends that a strong leasing industry for financing of aircraft and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), should be established in India to prevent domestic airlines from going abroad for the facilities.
Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu said the Vision 2040 report will address the immediate challenges of the aviation sector. “We are working on getting aircraft financing and MRO industry in India, which will also increase jobs in the country.” At present, most airlines go abroad for MRO services and for raising capital to finance aircraft purchases.
The Indian government also proposed new amendments to the draft drone policy, including allowing drones beyond visual line of sight.