Airlines

IndiGo Seeks Extension on Boeing 777 Wet Lease with Civil Aviation Ministry

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As India’s largest airline with a domestic market share exceeding 62%, IndiGo is constantly exploring ways to enhance its fleet and meet growing demand for international air travel.

However, as the lease term for these aircraft nears its end, IndiGo is in discussions with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to explore options for extending this arrangement.

IndiGo’s current wet lease of two Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines has allowed the airline to manage increased demand on international routes, particularly on high-traffic routes connecting Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul.

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These Boeing 777s are the only wide-body aircraft in IndiGo’s fleet, which otherwise primarily consists of narrow-body planes suited for short to medium-haul routes. The addition of wide-body planes under the wet lease arrangement has enabled IndiGo to offer greater capacity on these routes, an option that has proved valuable amid rising international travel demand from India.

Wet leasing allows IndiGo to operate these foreign-owned aircraft with crew and maintenance provided by Turkish Airlines, while Indian authorities oversee commercial operations. This leasing structure is particularly beneficial in situations indigo cadet where domestic carriers face capacity constraints, such as grounded aircraft.

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By leveraging wet-leased aircraft, indigo can maintain operational efficiency without overextending its own fleet. IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers highlighted the strategic advantage of the Boeing 777 addition when the second aircraft joined the fleet in May 2023.

He noted that the expanded capacity would not only support the airline’s growing international network but also help keep fares affordable for passengers, a crucial factor as IndiGo continues to cater to a diverse and price-sensitive market.

Related Topics:Boeing 777 Indigo airlines

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.