Incidents May Highlight Mx Issues In Older Planes

Air India admits its A310s are anywhere from 13 to 20 years old. Its entire fleet of 48 planes comprises aircraft that are mostly over a decade old.

Indian Airlines, with a fleet of 74 aircraft, is no different. Its fleet of 48 A320s, 11 Boeing 737s and three A300s average nearly 20 years of age. Not surprisingly, technical problems are more common in older planes.

The aging fleet of both Indian carriers concerns Indian government officials -- and passengers. After two close calls AI faced at New Delhi's airport earlier this week, an Aviation Ministry spokesperson admitted the airlines were facing problems because of the aging fleet.

"But all the planes in use are airworthy. We are getting a brand new fleet over the next four years and things will change," said the spokesperson.

Indeed, Indian Airlines and Air India are due to receive 43 and 68 new generation planes, respectively, over the next four years. Some new planes have already started joining the fleets. (A graphic of Air India's new Boeing fleet additions is shown below.)

While new aircraft are on order, the ones currently flying are facing increased difficulties. Dinesh Trivedi, an MP and a trained pilot, is a member of the standing committee and raised issue with hydraulic problems on older Airbus planes -- the alleged cause of one of those incidents earlier this week.

"Some planes have become flying coffins," Trivedi said. "The government needs to act."

FMI: http://civilaviation.nic.in/