New Delhi, Aug 26 : Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Today allowed operations of Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the country after prohibiting the planes from flying in the Indian skies for over two years.

The regulator has rescinded its earlier order with immediate effect.

“This rescission enables operation of Boeing Company Model 737-8 and Boeing Company Model 737-9 airplanes only upon satisfaction of applicable requirements for return to service,” DGCA said in its order.

Globally, as many as 17 aviation regulators such as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have already permitted operation of the B737 Max airplane following design changes by American airplane-maker Boeing Co.

Following the airworthiness directive (AD) by these regulators, 34 airlines are currently operating with 345 B737 Max airplane and have cumulatively attained 1,22824 departures and 2,89,537 hours of flying.

Following two fatal accidents involving B737 Max (Lion Air flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302), the DGCA had grounded the operation of the aircraft from March 13, 2019.

The DGCA permission will allow low-cost carrier SpiceJet to bring back its Max airplanes into service.

SpiceJet on Thursday said it had entered into a settlement with aircraft leasing company Avolon paving the way for the airline’s B737 MAX aircraft to be back in the air.

It added that the return of MAX to service is subject to regulatory approvals.

SpiceJet has been in talks with airplane-maker Boeing to recover damages on account of expenses incurred by it due to the grounding of the 737 MAX. It also engaged with aircraft lessors of the grounded MAX aircraft to restructure the present leases.

“The airline expects to start operations of MAX aircraft around the end of September 2021 subject to regulatory approvals,” SpiceJet said in an official statement.

The airline Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said that as India emerges from Covid and air traffic picks up again, the MAX aircraft will play a major role in our future expansion.

“With a better and a more efficient fleet back in operation we expect a significant reduction in our operating costs improving our bottom line,” he said.(UNI)