Two-and-a-half years after it was grounded, globally, following two fatal crashes, Boeing’s 737 MAX is once again in service with Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet. The first flight on Saturday November 20, was a “special flight for employees” and the first operated by the carrier since March 2019.
SpiceJet is the only Indian carrier currently operating the 737 MAX, soon-to-be-launched Akasa will be the second. The only other operator of the aircraft type was Jet Airways, which is currently not operating and which retired eight 737 MAXs earlier this year.
Gurgaon-based SpiceJet has 13 737 MAX jets on lease and 192 on order. All the required hardware and software modifications have been carried out on the aircraft and they will shortly be returning to service. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had allowed the 737 MAX to fly again in August “upon satisfaction of applicable requirements for return to service.”
