Latest news with #B787-9


Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fuel switch check mandated by DGCA: How many Boeing 787, 737 aircraft active in India
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday ordered the checking of fuel switch locking systems in the Boeing 787 and 737 planes of all airlines operating in the country. This brings into focus the numbers and spread of these planes in their fleets. The Air India Group has already initiated inspection of the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft.(HT_PRINT) The aviation watchdog's direction came after a preliminary probe report on the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, in which 260 people died, spotlighted the fuel switches. The report said one of the pilots asked the other about why the fuel was 'cut off', to which the other said he had not done that. It remains to be investigated how the switches moved, if they did. The US aviation watchdog had in 2018 advised ailrlines to check the locking system that prevents accidental use of the switches. But Air India said it did not check it because the suggestion was 'advisory' and 'not mandatory'. Now with the DGCA stepping into mandate the check, here are some key numbers: At present, there are over 150 Boeing 737 and 787 planes operational in India. The domestic airlines operating the models are Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and IndiGo. Indigo has seven B737 Max 8 and one B787-9 in its fleet, all of these being on either wet or damp lease. A wet lease means the plane, all crew and other staff, while a damp lease includes the plane and flight crew, but not cabin crew. Being on lease, these planes are not registered in India and therefore, would not be subject to DGCA's directive. Air India has 33 wide-body Boeing 787 planes, and Air India Express has around 75 narrow-body 737s. The Air India Group has already initiated inspection of the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. The checks for 737s are almost complete while half of the 787s have also been inspected, PTI quoted sources as saying. Further, the DGCA on Monday said that it had learnt that several international as well as domestic carriers had launched inspections of their aircraft as per FAA's SAIB. Fuel switch flagged by US FAA in 2018 The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel switch locking system in some Boeing models, including 787 and 737, in 2018. The FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin had highlighted the issue, but did not issue a directive, thus sparking no sparking no safety concerns. In its order on Monday, though, the DGCA stated, "... all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection... no later than 21st July 2025." The probe report into the June 12 crash had stated that fuel supply to both engines in AI-171 was cut off within a second.


Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Eight B787 aircraft inspected after Air India crash: Aviation minister
New Delhi: Eight out of the total 34 B787 fleet have already been inspected, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday while addressing the media on the Air India flight that crashed on Thursday. 'As per extended surveillance ordered by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on Friday, eight of the total 34 B787 have already been inspected,' Naidu said. The minister did not elaborate on the findings of the surveillance. However, people familiar with the matter said that there were no issues found in the eight inspected 787s. Naidu also said that the black box was recovered at around 5pm on Friday. People familiar with the matter said that it's the flight data recorder (FDR) of the black box that was found on Friday and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is yet to be found. To be sure, Air India had 34 B787 in its fleet before the crash. IndiGo has a B787-9 aircraft but with a foreign registration. 241 out of the total 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew members) were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed moments after taking off on Thursday afternoon, marking the worst air tragedy in the country in three decades. Officials said at least 50 people were injured in the medical college hostel where the jet rammed into as it turned into a fireball. Samir Kumar Sinha, civil aviation secretary, said, 'Air India B787-8 aircraft flew to Paris-Delhi, and Delhi- Ahmedabad route without any issues before the crash,' 'The crash happened at 1.40pm and a team of DGCA, BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), AAI (Airports Authority of India), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and myself reached the crash site around 6pm until when the fire was doused by the local authorities,' Sinha said. The government at around 12.40am on Saturday issued an order stating that a high-level multi disciplinary committee headed by home secretary. THe committee will also have heads from DGCA and BCAS, secretary of civil aviation, representative from the Gujarat home department, representative from the state disaster response authority, police commissioner of Ahmedabad, the director general (DG), Inspection and Safety of the Indian Air Force, special director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), and director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services. Naidu said that the committee would have a 'holistic' approach. He, however, did not elaborate on the progress of the investigation.


Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo starts Europe & UK flights from July 1; will finally serve hot meals onboard
NEW DELHI: Using the wet lease route to expand its international network, IndiGo will, from July 1, 2025, launch thrice weekly flights between Mumbai and Manchester. And from the next day, IndiGo will start nonstop flights between Mumbai and Amsterdam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Both these thrice weekly routes will be launched using the wet-leased (hired with operating crew) of Norse Atlantic. With Pakistan airspace closed for overflying by Indian carriers, IndiGo has started its Europe flights from Mumbai. And not the national capital, to avoid the much longer routes they would have had to take. 'Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers' on the two routes, the airline said. Meals sold on board IUndiGo flights — almost all cold except the dip-in-hot-water-for-five-minute versions — have long been the biggest chink in its otherwise formidable armour which has made this LCC biggest Indian airline with over 60% domestic market share. Now, this issue has been resolved with the Europe flights it launches from July. IndiGo says the Amsterdam and Manchester routes are 'the start of an exciting new chapter in IndiGo's growth journey… The introduction of more B787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo's Airbus A321XLRs (extra long range) starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo's unique value proposition,' the airline says. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'I am thrilled to announce IndiGo's long-haul debut... We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo's unparalleled domestic network, showcasing 'India by IndiGo' to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages by iconic home-grown Indian brands will be served to all our customers on this route. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This will be a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India's ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India.'


Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo to start Europe & UK flights from July 1; will finally serve hot meals onboard
NEW DELHI: Using the wet lease route to expand its international network, IndiGo will from July 1, 2025, launch thrice weekly flights between Mumbai and Manchester. And from the next day, IndiGo will start nonstops between Mumbai and Amsterdam. Both these thrice weekly routes will be launched using the wet leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (hired with operating crew) of Norse Atlantic. With Pakistan airspace closed for overflying by Indian carriers, IndiGo has started its Europe flights from Mumbai. And not the national capital to avoid the much longer routes they would have had to take. 'Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers' on thee two routes, the airline said. Meals sold on board IndiGo flights — almost all cold except the dip-in-hot-water-for-five-minute versions — have long been the biggest chink in its otherwise formidable armour which has made this LCC biggest Indian airline with over 60% domestic market share. Now, this issue has been resolved with the Europe flights it launches from July. IndiGo says the Amsterdam and Manchester routes are 'the start of an exciting new chapter in IndiGo's growth journey… The introduction of more B787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo's Airbus A321XLRs (extra long range) starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo's unique value proposition,' the airline says. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'I am thrilled to announce IndiGo's long-haul debut... We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo's unparalleled domestic network, showcasing 'India by IndiGo' to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route. This will be a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India's ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub…. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now


Zawya
16-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman Air launches flights to Amsterdam
Muscat: Oman Air has announced the launch of fights between Muscat and Amsterdam, marking the airline's 11th destination in Europe. Starting 1 July 2025, the airline will fly direct between Muscat and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol four times per week. The new route was announced at a signing ceremony attended by Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oman Air, and Pieter van Oord, CEO of Royal Schiphol Group, during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's state visit to the Netherlands. 'We're proud to enter Amsterdam, marking our first direct connection to this vibrant city. As we continue to grow, we focus on destinations that not only align with our strategic goals but also offer long-term opportunities for tourism and business exchange. Europe is our second largest market in terms of revenue and Amsterdam represents a key hub in the region for business and leisure travel. Moreover, the growing economic ties with Oman make it an ideal addition to our expanding European network,' said Con Korfiatis. Pieter van Oord added, 'We are delighted to welcome Oman Air to Amsterdam and have a direct connection between Amsterdam and Muscat. This direct link marks a significant milestone in strengthening ties between our two countries and enhancing connectivity for travellers in both directions. I am convinced that both countries will benefit from this connection.' Amsterdam will mark the first new route after Oman Air joins the oneworld Alliance, the benefits of which will include access to the oneworld Lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for Business Class, oneworld Emerald & Sapphire and Sindbad Gold & Silver customers. The Muscat-Amsterdam service, which will initially run during the summer season, will be operated by the latest generation B787-9 aircraft. Offering seamless connectivity to Muscat and over 40 destinations beyond, including Thailand, Zanzibar, Indonesia, India and Malaysia, guests can enjoy Oman Air's award-winning service and signature Omani hospitality, ensuring an unforgettable journey from start to finish. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (