Lok Sabha Question No. 4312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-18
Subject: Replacement of Old Aircrafts
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## LOK SABHA

4312

(To be answered on the 18th July 2019)

## REPLACEMENT OF OLD AIRCRAFTS

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## 4312. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIA TION

be pleased to state:-

- (b) whether several old aircrafts of various airlines are stiil in operation;
- whether Air India proposes to new aircrafts in place of the old ones; 8 if the details thereof; and bring
- (c) if s0, the aircraft and company-wise details thereof with regard to Air India and private airlines;
- the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIA TION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) to (c): The life of an aircraft is defined in terms of Design Service Goal (DSG): The operator has to operate its aircraft with in the stipulated DSG. However, there is a mechanism to increase the life of an aircraft beyond DSG known as Extended Service Goal (ESG) Relevant detailed Service Bulletins (SBs)/inspections and processes are provided by the manufacturer for enhancement of life, but approval of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA); (local airworthiness authority) is required for ESG operation:

Aircraft are considered airworthy provided the maintenance is as per approved schedule program and ali mandatory modifications stipulated by the DGCA as well as the regulatory authorities 0f the aircraft manufacturing countries: The Economic Design Goal for every type of aircraft is decided by the manufacturersl regulatory authorities of the State of manufacturers.

In addition to above; to keep aircraft in airworthy condition, the operators are required to carry out life development modifications/ airworthiness inspections/ airworthiness directives etc., recommended by the manufacturers/regulatory authorities of the State of manufacturers. The above inspections are made mandatory by the DGCA No aircraft are allowed in service without these inspections/certifications

The average age of the fleets and the fleet strength of various carriers in India is as under:-

| Airlines                   | Fleet Strength   |   Average Age of Aircraft(in years) |
|----------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Air India its subsidiaries |                  |                                 7   |
| Spicejet Ltd:              | 110              |                                 8.4 |
| Indigo                     | 237              |                                 5.8 |
| Go Air                     | 51               |                                 3.6 |
| Vistara                    | 29               |                                 3.6 |

- (d): Air India fleet are maintained to the highest airworthiness standards and meet all the requirements %f the regulatory authorities and are maintained & flown till the Design Service Goal life of the aircraft At present; Air India has no immediate plans to procure/bring new aircraft in place of old aircraft
- (e) & (f): Does not arise in view of (d) above

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