Question : Grounding of A320 Neo Aircraft

(a) whether various airlines have grounded their A-320 neo aircraft in the country due to which the air passengers are facing inconvenience;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) the number of flights cancelled due to the said reasons and whether any alternative arrangement has been made for the passengers, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether various airline companies are using faulty aeroplanes in the country;

(e) if so, whether there is any mechanism which makes it mandatory for the airline companies to get prior permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) or other Government agencies before inducting new planes in their fleet;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for granting permission to induct A-320 neo planes with faulty engines;

(g) the steps taken by the DGCA and the Ministry to esnure the safety of air passengers; and

(h) whether the Court has directed the DGCA to verify the safety of all the Pratt & Whitney engines as well as airworthiness of the engines from the European Aviation Safety Agency and other independent experts after a Public Interest Litigation was filed against DGCA regarding faulty engines of Airbus A320 neo aeroplanes and if so, the details thereof?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b) In view of a few occurrences of aborted take-off and in-flight shut down (IFSD) happening on A320neo fleet worldwide fitted with PW1100 engines (from S. No. 450 and beyond), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive on 09 Feb, 2018. Accordingly, EASA imposed following operational restrictions:

1) Grounding of Aeroplanes having two affected engines.

2) Not to use those aeroplanes having at least one affected engine for ETOPs operations.

EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive was immediately implemented and three A320neos in IndiGo fleet fitted with both the affected engines having ESN No. 450 and beyond were grounded. However, 11 other A320neos aircraft (08 in IndiGo fleet and 03 in Go Air fleet) were allowed to operate as they were fitted with one affected engine having ESN 450 and beyond.

Subsequently, three cases of in-flight shutdown of A320neos fitted PW1100G-JM engines having Serial No. beyond 450 were reported. Keeping in view the safety of aircraft operations, 11 A320 neo aircraft operated by M/s IndiGo and Go Air fitted with one affected engine each were grounded with effect from 12 March 2018. As of now, 11 of the 14 grounded aircraft have started flying after changing the engine.

(c) The number of flights cancelled due to the said reasons during 13th March 2018 to 2nd April 2018, are given below:

(i) Indigo Airlines - 776 out of 21000 scheduled flights

(ii) Go Air - 336 out of 5396 scheduled flights

Following alternative arrangements have been made for the passengers:

(i) Flight schedules have been altered to accommodate affected passengers.

(ii) Many of the passengers were/ are being accommodated on other airlines based on seat availability

(iii) Free cancellations and re booking are available.

(d) to (f) Any new type of aircraft, before being imported in to the country, is issued with letter of Type Acceptance indicating that the aircraft meets the type design requirements. A320 neo aircraft were issued with Type Acceptance by the DGCA based on the Type Certificate issued by EASA. These aircraft are installed with the P & W 1100G-JM which were also issued with the Type Acceptance by the DGCA based on the Type Certificates issued by FAA. After induction, aircraft are maintained as per the approved maintenance programme and on identification of defects, if any, the same are rectified before the aircraft can operate.;

(g) Safety of operations of aircraft is ensured by:-

1. Compliance of Aircraft Maintenance Programme, Airworthiness Directives, Mandatory Modifications etc.

2. Carrying out Annual Review of Airworthiness of aircraft.

3. Analyzing Engineering Statistical reports and advising the aircraft operators to take corrective actions on the adverse trend, if any.

4. Conducting planned Surveillance Inspections of the operators as per the Safety Oversight Programme.

5. Carrying out Periodic Regulator Audit, Carrying out Spot checks.

(h) Matter is sub-judice.