DGCA lifts ban on Boeing 737 MAX after over two yrs
India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday lifted the ban on Boeing 737 MAX planes’ commercial flight operations after almost two-andhalf years.
On March 13, 2019, all Boeing 737 MAX planes were grounded in India by the DGCA after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX plane on March 10 near Addis Ababa which had left 157 people, including four Indians, dead.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has been modifying the 737 MAX plane since March 2019 so that various countries’ regulators, including the DGCA, permit its passenger flight operations again.
In its order dated August 26, 2021, the DGCA stated that the operation of Boeing 737 MAX planes are permitted “only upon satisfaction of applicable requirements for return to service”.
A senior DGCA official confirmed that the ban on 737 MAX planes’ commercial flight operations has been lifted.
Meanwhile, Spicejet Limited, the only Indian operator of Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, expects the aircraft to make a comeback by September.
Spicejet has entered into a settlement with Avolon, a major lessor of MAX aircraft, paving the way for the airline’s 737 MAX aircraft to start to return to service, the airline said in a statement on Thursday.
“The airline expects to start operations of MAX aircraft around the end of September 2021 subject to regulatory approvals,” it added.
Boeing 737 MAX was grounded by aviation regulators around the world in March 2019 following two fatal crashes involving Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March10, 2019.
Most major aviation markets including the US and European Union have allowed the jet to fly again following extensive fixes. However, India and China are yet to allow the return of this aircraft in their respective countries.
Akasa, a new Indian airline backed by billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, is in advanced discussions with Boeing Co. for as many as 80 Max planes, and is likely to offer steeper-than-usual discounts, Bloomberg reported recently.