Tripura wants Alliance Air ATR ban

Agartala: The Tripura government today asked Delhi to ban ATR (short-haul) aircraft of Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Indian, as these were technically ill-equipped.
The request came after an ATR aircraft, carrying 25 passengers from Agartala to Guwahati, developed technical snags and, unable to land in the Assam capital, was forced to return.
An infant fell ill and several passengers bled through the nose during the ordeal, which authorities said was brought about by a fall in cabin pressure.
This was the fourth instance in the past fortnight that Alliance Air aircraft developed technical snags and the passengers had a harrowing time. The aircraft had earlier developed snags on June 22, 24 and 26.
The Air Passengers Association of Tripura, decided to meet chief minister Manik Sarkar and ask him to take up the issue with the Union civil aviation ministry and the Indian airlines.
Sarkar held a cabinet meeting this evening. He later told newspersons that the ATR flights were meant to be operated only within the Northeast, but these were often taken on long-haul flights, affecting their airworthiness.
03/07/07 The Telegraph

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Categories: Indian Jul 2007, Safety Jul 2007