Boeing 737 Operators in India Reassure on FAA Directive Impact
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Airworthiness Directive for certain Boeing 737-8, 737-9 and 737-8200 aircraft on Thursday. The directive requires inspection of the fuselage skin for existing repairs and applicable on-condition actions.
Akasa Air and Air India Express, two key operators of Boeing 737 planes in India, said their fleets are not impacted by the FAA's directive. Akasa Air operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprising brand-new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The airline has a fleet of 40 Boeing 737 MAX planes and according to its spokesperson, the issue referenced in the FAA's Airworthiness Directive has no impact on the safety or current operations of their fleet. The directive mandates a scheduled inspection prior to the completion of 30,000 flight cycles (take-offs and landings), which is expected to be reached approximately 13-plus years after an aircraft is inducted into service.
Air India Express also confirmed that the FAA airworthiness directive does not affect their Boeing 737 fleet. The carrier has around 80 such planes.