DGCA de-registers 4 3-decades-old 747s of Air India used for VIP travel
NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has de-registered four nearly three-decade-old Boeing 747 jumbo jets of Air India. Comments from Air India on the future of these planes – whether they will fly again or be retired – were awaited at the time of going to press.
If AI wants to use these aircraft again for commercial flights, they will have to undergo a return-to-service programme for re-registration, a DGCA official said. Given the age of these planes and shortage of spares, it remains to be seen if AI brings them back to service.
The President, Vice President and PM used to fly these jumbo jets on medium-to-long haul flights. However, they were replaced by two refurbished B777s inducted as dedicated VVIP aircraft about two years ago.
