Aviation

Spice Jet suffers 7 emergency landings in 17 days, trouble brewing for airline.

A Spice Jet B737 Max made an emergency landing in Karachi, Pakistan.

On Tuesday, a Spice Jet flight from Delhi to Dubai suffered a fuel indication malfunction in the air and had to be diverted to Karachi. At a height of 23,000 feet, the windshield of another Spice Jet started to break, necessitating an urgent landing in Mumbai. The budget airline suffered two defeats in a single day, bringing the total number of technical fault issues involving Spice Jet aircraft to seven during the previous 17 days. Although neither of the two parties in this case has made a statement, officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) claim that the aviation regulator of India is looking into each of the seven events and may take actions against the airline if it determines that it is at fault.

Regarding the seven incidents, six were domestic flights and one was an international flight. On June 5 in the early morning, a Spice Jet Boeing 737 Max carrying about 150 passengers on a trip from Delhi to Dubai was reported to have an international flight incident when it made an emergency landing in Karachi, Pakistan. While in the air, the plane began to exhibit an odd fuel quantity reduction from its left tank, which caused it to be redirected to Karachi.

When an inspection was done at the Karachi airport, no visual leak was observed from the left tank, they added. Spice Jet deputed another aircraft from India in the evening and by 10 PM in the night, all passengers left for Dubai again, spending 12 hours in Pakistan.

In the second incident, the Q400 plane’s windshield cracked at a height of 23,000 feet, forcing the pilots to make a quick landing at the Mumbai airport, according to DGCA officials. It was not immediately known how many people were travelling on the 78-seat Q400 aircraft on the Kandla-Mumbai journey. According to them, the aircraft had no problems with cabin pressurization. “Spice Jet Q400 aircraft was flying SG 3324 on July 5th, 2022. (Kandla-Mumbai). At FL230 (23,000 feet above sea level), the P2 side windshield outer pane cracked. It was noted that pressurization was typical. The plane touched down safely in Mumbai “In a statement, Spice Jet said.

On June 19, the carrier’s flight bound for Delhi with 185 passengers experienced an engine fire shortly after departure from Patna airport and necessitating an emergency landing. Because of the bird strike, the engine broke down. The plane’s pilot, Monica Khanna, is given credit for a successful landing after one of the most significant occurrences in recent days.

In another incident on June 19, a flight for Jabalpur had to return to Delhi due to cabin pressurization issues. Fuselage door warnings lit up on two separate planes while taking off on June 24 and June 25, forcing them to abandon their journeys and return.

On July 2, a flight to Jabalpur made a turn back to Delhi when the crew noticed smoke in the cabin at a height of about 5,000 feet.

One more on 5th of july, Due to a malfunctioning weather radar, a Spice Jet cargo flight headed for China made a Tuesday return to Kolkata. The Spice Jet cargo Boeing 737 was supposed to fly from Kolkata to Chongqing, however the spokesperson said that after takeoff it was discovered that the weather radar was inoperable. The pilot-in-command made the decision to return to Kolkata and successfully touched down there.

Aviation

Why Embraer’s E175-E2 Faces Challenges in the U.S. Market

Embraer, a renowned Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, has a strong reputation for building regional jets that connect smaller cities worldwide.

While its aircraft are widely used in various countries, the United States imposes restrictions on certain Embraer models, particularly the E175-E2. In this article, we’ll explore why this aircraft is blocked from entering the U.S. market.

The Embraer E175 vs. E175-E2

The E175 is allowed in the U.S. and is a popular choice for regional airlines operating short-haul routes.
The E175-E2, a more advanced and fuel-efficient version, faces restrictions due to scope clauses.

1. Scope Clause Restrictions

Scope clauses are agreements between major U.S. airlines and pilot unions that limit the size and weight of aircraft used by regional carriers.

These clauses cap the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) at 86,000 pounds.
The E175-E2 exceeds this limit with an MTOW of 98,120 pounds (44,600 kg), making it ineligible for regional operations.

2. Fleet Compatibility

U.S. regional carriers typically operate under agreements that favor aircraft compliant with scope clauses.

The original E175 meets these criteria, making it easier to integrate into existing fleets.
The E175-E2, despite its improved efficiency and longer range, is considered incompatible with current contracts.
World’s Largest Electric Aircraft Ready for Its First Flight

3. Market Dynamics

Modifying scope clauses would require complex negotiations between airlines and pilot unions, a process that can be time-consuming and contentious.

Major airlines have shown little interest in pushing for these changes, especially with other compliant aircraft available.
The lack of demand has led Embraer to suspend the development of the E175-E2 in February 2022.

Similar Challenges Faced by Competitors

Embraer isn’t the only manufacturer affected by scope clauses.

Mitsubishi’s SpaceJet program was similarly halted in 2023 due to the same restrictions.
Larger regional aircraft like the E190-E2 (MTOW: 124,340 lbs) are also excluded from regional contracts, further limiting options.
In the U.S., airline and pilot union agreements restrict regional carriers to aircraft with a maximum of 76 seats or a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 86,000 pounds (39,000 kg).
How to Avoid Flight Delays: Airline’s Guide to Smooth Travel
The Embraer E175-E2, however, exceeds these limits, offering seating for up to 90 passengers in a single-class layout and an MTOW of 98,120 pounds (44,600 kg).
Due to these restrictions, Embraer suspended the E175-E2 program in February 2022, citing scope clause limitations as the primary reason for pausing development.

The Decline of Small Regional Jets

The U.S. market is shifting away from smaller, 50-seat regional jets.

In 2019, there were 660 active 50-seat regional jets.
By November 2024, this number had dropped to 260, creating a gap in the regional aviation market that remains unfilled.

Impact on U.S. Aviation

The inability to introduce newer, more efficient regional jets like the E175-E2 is impacting both airlines and manufacturers:

U.S. airlines must adjust flight routes and seating configurations to accommodate older aircraft models.
Boeing, a domestic competitor, also faces challenges as demand shifts towards larger aircraft, reducing regional jet sales.

Conclusion

While the E175-E2 is permitted and operational in many countries, it remains blocked in the U.S. due to regulatory limitations. This situation highlights the pressures faced by domestic manufacturers and airlines as they struggle to balance efficiency, regulations, and market demands.

What do you think about these restrictions? Should the U.S. update its scope clauses to allow more advanced regional aircraft? Share your thoughts in the comments!