Aviation

Akasa Air Orders 150 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft at WINGS India 2024

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In a groundbreaking move at WINGS India 2024, Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, proudly declared a firm order for 150 fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

This strategic announcement, taking place at Asia’s largest civil aviation event in Hyderabad, signifies a momentous leap for Akasa Air, positioning it as the sole Indian airline to achieve an order book surpassing 200 aircraft within a mere 17 months of initiating operations.

The comprehensive order, spanning the two 737 MAX variants, ensures a consistent stream of aircraft deliveries for Akasa Air until 2032. Moreover, these cutting-edge aircraft are designed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by an impressive 20%, showcasing Akasa Air’s commitment to sustainability.

As the airline looks towards expanding its footprint across India and South Asia, Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market Outlook provides a promising backdrop. The forecast predicts the delivery of 2,705 new commercial airplanes over the next two decades for the region, with an overwhelming 90% of these being single-aisle jets. This aligns seamlessly with Akasa Air’s vision, positioning the airline strategically amidst the evolving dynamics of the aviation industry.

Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

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The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

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“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”