90 SpiceJet Pilots Barred From Flying Boeing 737 Max. Will Undergo Training: DGCA

DGCA Spicejet has said that the restriction by DGCA will not impact the operations of MAX aircraft.

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has disallowed 90 pilots of Spicejet airline from flying Boeing 727 Max aircraft after finding out that the said pilots were not properly trained.

"90 pilots have been restrained from flying the Boeing 737 MAX. They will have to undergo training again to the satisfaction of DGCA," DGCA Director-General Arun Kumar told ANI news agency.

The DGCA exercised enhanced surveillance on Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Indian airlines after a China Eastern Airlines plane carrying 132 people crashed in the Guangxi province. According to media reports, it was a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Meanwhile, Spicejet has said that the restriction by DGCA will not impact the operations of MAX aircraft. 

"This restriction does not impact the operations of MAX aircraft whatsoever. SpiceJet currently operates 11 MAX aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these 11 aircraft. Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 continue to remain available," a Spicejet spokesperson said.

This restriction does not impact the operations of MAX aircraft whatsoever. SpiceJet currently operates 11 MAX aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these 11 aircraft. Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 continue to remain available: SpiceJet Spokesperson

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022

The Boeing 737 Max planes were stopped from flying in India by the DGCA in March 2019, three days after the crash of a Boeing 737 Max aircraft flying from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to Nairobi. There were 149 people and eight crew members on board. The crash was also attributed to Boeing’s anti-stall software MACS

The ban on Boeing planes was lifted in August 2021.