New Delhi: Citing difficulties with their simulator training, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has restricted 90 SpiceJet pilots from flying Boeing 737 Max aircraft until they complete the appropriate training.
“...we have restricted these pilots from flying the MAX, and they must successfully retrain to fly the MAX. "Those found accountable for the lapse will face severe consequences," said DGCA head Arun Kumar, without elaborating on the difficulties.
The civil aviation authority, the DGCA, "had an observation on the training profile," according to a spokeswoman for the airline. "As a result, on the advise of the DGCA, SpiceJet has prohibited 90 pilots from flying MAX aircraft until they complete DGCA-approved retraining." These pilots are still available for other Boeing 737 planes, according to the representative.
SpiceJet is the only Indian airline to fly the Boeing 737 MAX, with 650 pilots trained for the aircraft. It has 11 of these planes in its fleet. Akasa Air, owned by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, has ordered 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to begin operations this summer.
According to the spokeswoman, the restriction will not affect the 60 daily MAX flight operations. "...to operate these 11 planes, 144 pilots are necessary." "Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 are still available, well exceeding the present requirement," the official stated.
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