(a) whether the aircraft being used by National Aviation Company of India Limited could be used for a particular period;
(b) if so, whether a comparison of how long the aircraft are used in India versus international usage has been made; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a),(b) and (c): There is no age limit of flight hour or flight cycle or calendar year for which an aircraft could be used. However, the maintenance of aircraft becomes more expensive with age as special inspection and modifications for ageing aircraft are undertaken to ensure that the aircraft cotinues to be airworthy. Every airline has its own policy for usage of aircraft. The aircraft in National Aviation Company of India`s (NACIL) fleet are used for scheduled services keeping in mind the maintenance schedule stipulated by the manufacturers and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. At present, the average age of NACIL`s fleet is 7.1 years.