NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the deadline for replacing Pratt & Whitney (PW) unmodified engines on the Airbus A320 neo fleet of IndiGo and GoAir by three months to August 31, 2020, from May-end. The regulator has directed these airlines to operate only those A320/321 new engine options (neo) in their fleets that have both modified engines under their wings, something that it feels is possible due to less flying in current times.
This will ensure that the neos with snag-prone unmodified PW engine remain grounded and they start flying only after getting replacement engines by August-end. IndiGo and GoAir still need to replace about 60 engines whose delivery has been delayed because of the coronavirus epidemic.
“Supply chains and production lines have got impacted and in turn disturbed the (engine replacement) process due to Covid 19 impact. Keeping this in mind, we have extended the deadline by three months; upto August 31, 2020. Also we have instructed that in the present times, Neos with both engines modified should be flown. This should not be difficult as the curtailed operations are likely to last for some more time,” said a senior DGCA official.
