DGCA will take '"some time" before deciding on Boeing 737 MAX planes

Aviation watchdog DGCA will study FAAs decision and take some time before taking a final call on allowing Boeing 737 MAX planes to fly again in the Indian skies The Federal Aviation Administration FAA of the US on Wednesday paved the way for the MAX aircraft to return to commercial service after a comprehensive and methodical safety review process that stretched for 20 monthsIn the wake of two fatal crashes involving MAX planes these aircraft were grounded worldwide in 2019 Joining many other regulators worldwide the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA grounded MAX aircraft in March last yearWhen asked about the next step after FAA cleared the path for resumption of Boeing 737 MAX flights a senior DGCA official told PTI that the regulator would study and react It will take some timeOnly two Indian carriers SpiceJet and nowshuttered Jet Airways were operating MAX aircraft before they were grounded on safety concerns SpiceJet has a fleet of 13 such planes that were grounded in March 2019In 201617 SpiceJet had placed an order for up to 205 MAX aircraftA SpiceJet spokesperson did not offer any immediate comment on FAAs approval for the MAX planesWhile announcing the latest September quarter results on November 11 SpiceJet said it was continuing to incur various costs related to 13 grounded MAX planesDespite its inability to undertake revenue operations the company continues to incur various costs with respect to these aircraft the airline said in a regulatory filing on November 11Citing the costs and the uncertainty in timing of these planes returning to operations SpiceJet had also said that it has initiated the process of claims on the aircraft manufacturer towards cost and losses which are currently under discussionMAX planes are fuelefficient and would help in reducing operational costsIn addition to rescinding the order that grounded the MAX planes FAA on Wednesday published an Airworthiness Directive specifying design changes that must be made before the aircraft returns to service issued a Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community CANIC and published the MAX training requirementsThese actions do not allow the MAX to return immediately to the skies The FAA must approve 737 MAX pilot training program revisions for each US airline operating the MAX and will retain its authority to issue airworthiness certificates and export certificates of airworthiness for all new 737 MAX aircraft manufactured since the FAA issued the grounding order the US watchdog said in a statementAccording to FAA the design and certification of this aircraft included an unprecedented level of collaborative and independent reviews by aviation authorities around the worldThose regulators have indicated that Boeings design changes together with the changes to crew procedures and training enhancements will give them the confidence to validate the aircraft as safe to fly in their respective countries and regionsFollowing the return to service the FAA will continue to work closely with our foreign civil aviation partners to evaluate any potential additional enhancements for the aircraft it notedIn a statement Boeing said FAA has rescinded the order that halted commercial operations of Boeing 7378s and 7379sThe move will allow airlines that are under the FAAs jurisdiction including those in the US to take the steps necessary to resume service and Boeing to begin making deliveries it addedIn March 2019 a MAX plane operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed near Addis Ababa killing 157 people including four Indians In October 2018 a Lion Airoperated 737 Max crashed leaving 180 people dead in IndonesiaKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever