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Indigos Secures DGCA Approval for Additional B777s Amid A320 Grounding

Indigos Secures DGCA Approval for Additional B777s Amid A320 Grounding

In response to the grounding of #A320 family aircraft, one of the confirmed sources has revealed that Indigo has successfully secured additional Boeing 777 aircraft as an interim solution to address its shortage of narrow-body planes.

Pratt & Whitney Engine issues

The airline is currently grappling with challenges related to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, which have been deemed unsafe for flight until rectified. Indigo has taken proactive measures by entering into contracts with alternative engine manufacturers to replace the faulty engines.

However, this course of action may pose financial challenges for Indigo in the near future. To navigate this situation and maintain its presence in the domestic market, Indigo is strategically planning to incorporate more wide-body aircraft into its fleet.

Indigo to add more B777 aircraft

IndiGo (6E) has been granted approval by the Indian Aviation regulator to operate wide-body aircraft, specifically two Boeing 777-300ERs. With the anticipation of over 30 additional aircraft being grounded in Q4 (January-March 24), Indigo may explore acquiring more aircraft through wet leases as a supplementary measure.

While regulatory constraints typically limit wet leasing for capacity or route expansion of passenger services, exceptions can be made for situations such as covering unexpected aircraft groundings. In this context, Indigo (6E) may consider further wet leasing of wide-body aircraft to mitigate the challenges associated with the ongoing capacity crunch.

IndiGo has confirmed the grounding of some A320 aircraft due to engine faults, with plans for swift resolution. Globally, approximately 600-700 incremental engines face accelerated inspections and shop visits from 2023 to 2026, with two-thirds targeted for removal in 2023 and early 2024.

Additional details from Pratt & Whitney highlight a powder metal issue. Preliminary assessments suggest an anticipated mid-thirties Aircraft on Ground (AOG) in the fourth quarter (Jan-Mar 2024) due to accelerated engine removals

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.

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