Grounding A320neos will have consequences: DGCA

Any knee-jerk reaction to completely shut down operations of the Pratt and Whitney (P&W)-powered Airbus A320neo aircraft will have serious consequences, considering that about 40% of domestic capacity is served by these aircraft, civil aviation regulator said in a statement on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had called an urgent meeting with officials of no-frills carriers IndiGo and GoAir to take stock of the glitches faced by P&W engines.

“It is true that there have been cases of air turn back, in-flight shutdown or engine vibrations beyond the prescribed limits, but with strong mitigation measures in place and strict adherence to SOPs (standard operating procedures) by the airlines, the problem is being contained,” DGCA said, adding that the regulator will continue to ground aircraft and seek engine change whenever P&W engine glitches are detected on A320neo aircraft.