DGCA imposes Rs 10 lakh fine on SpiceJet for training pilots on faulty simulator

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday imposed a monetary fine of Rs 10 lakh on SpiceJet for training 737 Max aircraft's pilots on faulty simulator. 

Earlier, in the same case, the aviation regulator had barred 90 SpiceJet pilots from flying B737 Max aircraft after it was found they were found to have been trained on faulty simulator. They were asked to be retrained. 

The DGCA grounded Boeing 737 Max planes in India on March 13, 2019, three days after an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max aircraft crashed near Addis Ababa, killing 157 people including four Indians.

The ban on the planes was lifted in August last year after the DGCA was satisfied with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing's necessary software rectifications in the aircraft.

Proper pilot training on the simulator was also among the conditions set by the DGCA for lifting the ban on the Max planes after a span of 27 months.

SpiceJet is the only Indian airline that has the Max aircraft in its fleet.

Akasa Air, the new airline backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and aviation veterans Aditya Ghosh and Vinay Dube, had in November last year signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 72 Max planes. Akasa Air has not received any of these planes as yet.

(With inputs from Poulomi Saha, and agencies)