Question : GROUNDING OF PLANES OF IA AND AI

(a) the number of planes of Air India and Indian Airlines that remained grounded in the last six months in respect of each company;

(b) the reasons for their grounding in each case; and

(c) the remedial measures taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a), (b) and (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 602 FOR 17.05.2007 REGARDING GROUNDING OF PLANES OF IA AND AI

(a) and (b): Air India operated 15973 flights from 1st November, 2006 to 30th April, 2007. During this period there were 46 Aircraft on Ground (AOG) of which 38 were due to technical reasons. Similarly, Indian Airlines operated 52,463 flights from 1st November, 2006 to 30th April, 2007. During this period there were 146 AOG of which 138 were due to technical reasons. These AOG were due to snags/incidents, which were technical as well as, non-technical in nature. Technical snags do occur on aircraft regardless of age due to failure/unserviceability of various components/parts, damage to engine, tyre burst, hydraulic leak, pressurization snags, etc.

(c): While specific steps to avoid recurrence of such happenings are taken on receipt of the investigation report, Air India and Indian Airlines aircraft are maintained to the highest airworthiness standards under the Continued Airworthiness Programme. All the tasks are carried out as required by Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (such as Boeing, Airbus, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney etc.) Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) and schedules approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The infrastructure used by Air India/Indian Airlines is as per recommendations made by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).