In a recent turn of events, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a directive mandating a one-time emergency inspection of all Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft currently operational in Indian air fleets. This move comes in the wake of an alarming incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight, where one of its doors blew open mid-air during a journey from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California.
DGCA Takes Swift Action
The civil aviation regulator’s directive, issued on Saturday, has set the aviation industry abuzz. The Alaska Airlines incident prompted the DGCA to take precautionary measures, even though none of the Indian air operators have Boeing 737-9 Max in their fleet. The directive specifically targets the Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft, urging immediate inspections of their emergency exits.
DGCA’s statement on the matter emphasized, “Pursuant to the Alaska Airlines incident involving Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft, there have been no inputs/guidance from Boeing so far. None of the Indian air operators have Boeing 737-9 Max as part of their fleet yet.”
Indian Airline Fleet Status
India currently houses 43 Boeing 737 MAX planes across various airlines. Notably, Akasa Air leads with 22, followed by SpiceJet with 13, and Air India Express with eight aircraft in their respective fleets. While SpiceJet asserted its commitment to adhering to DGCA directives, Akasa Air reassured that it does not possess any 737 Max-9 aircraft in its fleet.
SpiceJet’s spokesperson affirmed, “We do not have any 737-9 Max in our fleet. SpiceJet will adhere to the DGCA directive on the Max-8.”
Akasa Air spokesperson stated, “Even though the incident has occurred with another airline in the USA, we are in contact with the aircraft manufacturer and regulators to proactively monitor developments and will follow any guidance issued by them.”
Air India Express and Safety Assurance
Air India Express, in response to the situation, stated, “We are aware of the recent incident involving a Boeing aircraft of Alaska Air. The aircraft involved is a different variant from the B737-8 operated by Air India Express. We are in touch with Boeing for more information regarding this, as well with our regulators and will comply with any advisory.”
Boeing’s Recommendation and Remedial Action
The aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, had previously issued a recommendation to inspect all B737 Max fleet after an international operator discovered a bolt with a missing nut during routine maintenance. Boeing assured that the specific issue identified in that case had been remedied, emphasizing an abundance of caution in recommending inspections.
Boeing’s statement on December 29 reassured, “The issue identified on the particular airplane has been remedied. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending operators inspect their 737 MAX airplanes and inform us of any findings.”
Conclusion: Vigilance in the Skies
As the aviation industry grapples with unexpected challenges, the DGCA’s swift action underscores the importance of proactive safety measures. Indian airlines are aligning with regulatory directives to ensure passenger safety remains paramount. The incident serves as a reminder of the aviation sector’s commitment to rigorous safety protocols, especially in the ever-evolving landscape of air travel.
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