Wed, Apr 11, 2007
Incidents May Highlight Mx Issues In Older Planes
Air India admits its A310s are anywhere from 13 to 20 years old.
Its entire fleet of 48 planes comprises aircraft that are mostly
over a decade old.
Indian Airlines, with a fleet of 74 aircraft, is no different.
Its fleet of 48 A320s, 11 Boeing 737s and three A300s average
nearly 20 years of age. Not surprisingly, technical problems are
more common in older planes.
The aging fleet of both Indian carriers concerns Indian
government officials -- and passengers. After two close calls AI faced at New
Delhi's airport earlier this week, an Aviation
Ministry spokesperson admitted the airlines were facing problems
because of the aging fleet.
"But all the planes in use are airworthy. We are getting a brand
new fleet over the next four years and things will change," said
the spokesperson.
Indeed, Indian Airlines and Air India are due to receive 43 and
68 new generation planes, respectively, over the next four years.
Some new planes have already started joining the fleets. (A graphic
of Air India's new Boeing fleet additions is shown below.)
While new aircraft are on order, the ones currently flying are
facing increased difficulties. Dinesh Trivedi, an MP and a trained
pilot, is a member of the standing committee and raised issue with
hydraulic problems on older Airbus planes -- the alleged cause of
one of those incidents earlier this week.
"Some planes have become flying coffins," Trivedi said. "The
government needs to act."
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