Sun, Aug 29, 2021
Controversial MAX Set To Return To India’s Skies
India's SpiceJet said this week it expects the Boeing 737 MAX jets in its fleet to return to service by the end of September following a settlement struck with lessor Avolon. Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country's air safety regulator, cleared 737 MAX to fly after two and a half years of grounding.
No further details on the settlement have been provided. The 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after two fatal crashes in five months killed 346 people. Around 175 countries have allowed the 737 MAX to return to service, with 30 airlines already restarting their MAX aircraft services. SpiceJet is India’s second largest airline and the only one in the country to fly the MAX.
Between the uptick in vaccinations and easing of travel restrictions, Likhita Chepa, senior research analyst at CapitalVia Global Research, theorizes that the MAX can help SpiceJet get back on track for financial success.
"However, higher ATF prices might hurt margins and operability," Chepa added.
Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “I am delighted to share that our 737 MAXs will be back in the air soon. As India emerges from Covid and air traffic picks up again, the MAX aircraft will play a major role in our future expansion. With a better and a more efficient fleet back in operation we expect a significant reduction in our operating costs improving our bottom line."
SpiceJet has mentioned that with 13 of it’s 737 MAX planes being grounded, there have been talks with Boeing looking towards compensation at the losses due to this situation.
More News
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Aero Linx: International Association of Professional Gyroplane Training (IAPGT) We are an Association of people who fly, build or regulate Gyroplanes, who have a dream of a single >[...]
NORDO (No Radio) Aircraft that cannot or do not communicate by radio when radio communication is required are referred to as “NORDO.”>[...]
Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) The operation of a UAS beyond the visual capability of the flight crew members (i.e., remote pilot in command [RPIC], the person manipulating th>[...]
Aero Linx: Malibu M-Class Owners and Pilots Association (MMOPA) The Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (PMOPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the interest>[...]