DGCA ban on Boeing 737 Max aircraft lifted after two years

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday lifted the ban on Boeing 737 Max’s commercial flight operations after two years. The aircraft had been grounded worldwide on March 13, 2019, after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max aircraft on March 10 near Addis Ababa. Earlier, in October 2018, a 737 Max operated by Indonesian airline Lion Air crashed, killing all 189 on board.

At that time of grounding, two India airlines, SpiceJet and Jet Airways, were operating the aircraft. SpiceJet had 12 737  Max and Jet five.

DGCA lifts ban on Boeing’s passenger flight operation

An order from DGCA dated August 26, 2021, stated that the operations of Boeing 737 Max aircraft are permitted only upon satisfaction of applicable requirements for return to service.

Since 2019, Boeing has been modifying the 737 Max aircraft so that regulators of various countries like the DGCA, allow its passenger flight operations again.

In October last year, the European regulator had cleared 737 Max to fly again, which was followed by US regulator Federal Aviation Authority in November. Boeing had to fix the flight control system and increase pilot training as part of conditions to make Max fly again.

The airliner is operated by 34 airlines worldwide.