DGCA lifts ban on Boeing 737 Max aircraft

New Delhi, August 26

India’s aviation regulator DGCA on Thursday lifted the ban on Boeing 737 Max planes’ commercial flight operations after almost two-and-half years. On March 13, 2019, all Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane on March 10 near Addis Ababa, which had left 157 persons, including four Indians, dead.

Grounded post crash

On March 13, 2019, all Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane on March 10 near Addis Ababa.

Officials in the regulatory agency said aircraft manufacturer Boeing had been modifying the 737 Max plane since March 2019 so that various countries’ regulators, including the DGCA, permitted its passenger aircraft to start operations again. In its order dated August 26, 2021, the officials said, the DGCA had given its nod for the operations of Boeing 737 Max planes. SpiceJet today said it had entered into a settlement with Avolon, a major lessor of Max aircraft, paving the way for the return of 737 Max aircraft. The airline is expecting to start operations by the end of September, subject to regulatory approvals. — TNS