Flydubai seeks India’s nod to operate Boeing 737 MAX for flights

NEW DELHI: UAE budget carrier flydubai has sought India’s nod to operate the Boeing 737 Max aircraft for flights to and from the country, say sources. The Dubai-based airline will start operating the Max from Thursday (April 8). India, which has 18 Max of SpiceJet and erstwhile Jet Airways parked here, is yet to approve this grounded-since March 2019 aircraft to fly in its airspace again after carrying out the required corrective modifications.
“flydubai will only operate its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in airspace where the regulator has approved it for passenger service,” the airline told TOI. While it did not comment on seeking Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) nod to use this aircraft between Dubai and Indian cities where it flies to, sources in the know say this permission has been sought and a word from authorities here is awaited.
Flydubai says “passengers will be notified in advance of travel if their itinerary now includes a flight that is scheduled to be operated by a Max.” The UAE carrier will resume Max operations by flying from Dubai to Sialkot this Friday and “the aircraft will operate to other existing flydubai destinations from this date onwards.”