New Delhi: Operations of Boeing 737 Max-8 aircraft in India ceased at 4 pm on Wednesday as per official orders, after the Government allowed some time “to cater to situations where aircraft can be positioned at maintenance facilities and international flights can reach their destinations”.
Indian carrier SpiceJet that operates 12 of these aircraft, announced cancellation of 14 of its flights on Wednesday.
As reported, Indian Government aviation regulator DGCA had on Tuesday night decided to ground the Boeing 737-Max8 aircraft operated by Indian carriers with immediate effect following the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday and similar action taken by several countries including major European countries.
The Government is also working out a contingency plan with airlines to minimise inconvenience for passengers. But controversy broke out on Wednesday morning, with reports that some Boeing 737 Max aircraft were still operating in the Indian skies.
The Civil Aviation Ministry then swiftly clarified the situation by tweeting, “In continuation to the decision of DGCA to ground the B737 Max operations, further clarification follows. B737Max operations will stop from/to all Indian airports. Additionally no B737 Max aircraft will be allowed to enter or transit the Indian airspace effective 1600hrs (4 pm) Indian time or 1030 UTC. The time line is to cater to situations where aircraft can be positioned at maintenance facilities and international flights can reach their destinations.”
The other Indian carrier that has these planes—five of them—is cash-strapped Jet Airways but there were reports that these planes may have already been grounded earlier due to the financial woes of the airline.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued at noon on Wednesday, SpiceJet said, “Consequent to the regulatory directive on the Boeing 737 MAX, SpiceJet has already initiated grounding of its MAX fleet”.
