DGCA’s decision to ground A320neo aircraft with just one faulty engine lacks technical merit and demonstrates lack of professionalism, say analysts
AN AIRCRAFT’S ENGINES, which conspicuously hang below its wings, generating the required thrust for propulsion, are said to be the heart of an aeroplane. So much so that when recurrent in-flight engine shutdowns were reported in some Airbus A320neo aircraft, powered by a certain series of Pratt & Whitney (PW)-made engines, India’s civil aviation watchdog couldn’t help but sit up and take notice.
On March 12, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to ground 11 twin-engine A320neo aircraft—eight of them operated by IndiGo and three by GoAir—with at least one faulty PW engine. Two other airlines, Air India and Vistara, which also fly the A320neo, were not affected by the order as they use engines made by CFM International.
The groundings have shaved off1-2 percent from India’s overall domestic air travel capacity. According to the ministry of civil aviation, 378 flights were cancelled between March 15 and 21, compared with total departures of 18,781 during the same period. The capacity impact is likely to remain the same until the grounded aircraft resume operations. “The ministry has been monitoring prices on the impacted routes: There has not been any significant or abnormal increase in air fares,” read a statement from the civil aviation ministry.
The trivial impact on capacity and prices apart, the brouhaha over air safety that followed the groundings “was as though the world had come to an end”, believes Devesh Agarwal, editor, Bangalore Aviation, an aviation news web portal.
Given that aircraft are designed to fly with just one engine, has the DGCA overestimated the gravity of the issue?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 13, 2018-Ausgabe von Forbes India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 13, 2018-Ausgabe von Forbes India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure
Living Waters
A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet