Faulty engines replaced: DGCA to HC

Mumbai: The Union of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday assured the Bombay high court that all faulty engines of Pratt & Whitney in the Airbus A320neo in the post-450 series have been replaced. It was also submitted that the DGCA has implemented much stringent rules than those followed by the certification agencies of US and Europe and hence it was satisfied of the airworthiness of the 11 aircraft belonging to IndiGo and GoAir.

However, the petitioner said that there were many shortcomings in the DGCA working and sought time to file a short affidavit enumerating the same. The court allowed it and posted the matter for May 2. A division bench of justices Naresh Patil and G.S. Kulkarni was hearing public interest litigation filed by a businessman against the engine problems in some of the Airbus A320neo aircraft thus causing safety concerns and panic among fliers. The court had directed the state and the DGCA to ensure that the concerns were addressed and the aircraft with faulty Pratt & Whitney engines be grounded and not allowed to fly till the engines were replaced.

On Monday, additional solicitor general Anil Singh who appeared on behalf of the Union submitted that the DGCA had taken all measures to ensure that aircraft with the engines of the post 450 series were replaced and after being satisfied of the airworthiness of the 11 aircraft they had been permitted to fly.

Senior advocate Janak Dwarkadas appearing for Indigo confirmed the same and said that the engine with the series post 450 till 614 had been replaced.