Monitoring Airbus 320 (neos) with PW engines: DGCA

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today assured fliers that the incidents with Airbus (neos), fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines, are being monitored by the aviation regulator and are seeing improvement.

The regulator, in a statement issued after meeting IndiGo and GoAir today, said: “DGCA is continuously monitoring the performance of these engines and taking appropriate proactive measures as and when required including grounding of aircraft in the interest of safety and further remedial measure if necessitated, will be taken.”

The statement added that the operation of these aircraft/engines are considered safe globally. “Manufacturer has been directed to ensure more availability of spare engines for Indian operators to prevent grounding of aircraft due to removal of engines,” read the statement.


DGCA also said that about 40% of the domestic seat capacity of India is powered by Neo Engines and therefore, any knee-jerk reaction to completely shut their operations will have serious consequences.

“As there has not been any reported case of any accident in any part of the world, where these engines are in operation, will it be prudent? It is true that there have been cases of Air Turn Back, In Flight Shut down or Engine vibrations beyond the prescribed limits, but with strong mitigation measures in place and strict adherence to SOPs by the Airlines, the problem is being contained. Whenever, there is a problem with the Engine, the Aircraft is being grounded and the Engine replaced,” read the statement.

Finally, DGCA assures all its stakeholders that we are alive to the situation and will take the harshest action, should the need arise, the statement added.