Nagpur's Grounded A320 Neo Fleet Takes Flight After Engine Replacements
After being grounded for two years in Nagpur, sixteen out of twenty A320 neo aircraft have gradually taken to the skies with newly replaced Pratt and Whitney engines. Sources indicate that the remaining four aircraft are expected to become operational within the next six months or so, marking a significant milestone in resolving the long-standing engine issues.
Maintenance and Overhaul at Mihan-SEZ Facility
The aircraft were parked at the AAR Indamer Technics aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) depot located in the Mihan-Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This facility is one of the key locations across the country where grounded aircraft have been stored. The MRO played a crucial role in fitting the new engines, with the planes primarily belonging to Indigo Airlines, for which Indamer handles maintenance and overhaul services.
Sources explained that the aircraft had to wait for the arrival and installation of new engines at the MRO. They added that the process has now become much more streamlined, with hopes high that the remaining planes will fly off within the expected timeframe. "It is hoped the rest of the planes will fly off within the expected time," they stated, reflecting optimism about the ongoing efforts.
Additional Activities at the Nagpur MRO
In related developments, the Indamer MRO recently painted and retrofitted twelve aircraft belonging to Air India, applying the latest colors now sported by the airline's fleet. This highlights the facility's versatility and capacity to handle multiple aviation projects simultaneously.
Boeing 777 Test Flight Preparations
Meanwhile, adjacent to the Indamer facility, Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) is preparing for a test flight of a Boeing 777 aircraft that has been grounded on its premises for the past six years. The aircraft originally landed at the MRO in February 2020 for a routine check and was expected to return to service within a month. However, it remained grounded due to various reasons, leading to the cannibalization of several components for use in other aircraft undergoing maintenance at the MRO.
Sources confirmed that the plane is now set to undergo a test flight shortly, signaling progress in addressing its long-term grounding. This development underscores the broader challenges and solutions in aircraft maintenance and fleet management within India's aviation sector.
