Indian skies cleared of Boeing 737-200s

New Delhi: Vintage or classic aircraft from the Boeing stable — 737-200s and 737-300s — have been phased out by the country’s passenger airlines in the last two years. Boeing 737-300 became a cause for concern after an American carrier, Southwest Airlines, developed a fuselage tear in its aircraft and had to make an emergency landing last week.
Jet Airways surrendered its two leased 737-300 in September last year and had phased out around 4 to 5 Boeing 737-400 in 2007. “These aircraft had been discontinued in service from April 2010 onwards, however, there were a few obligations before they could be disposed of,” said a senior Jet Airways executive. According to international media reports, the National Transportation Safety Board of the US may require all airlines flying the aging Boeing 737-300 to make special safety checks for fuselage cracks.
Air India which had six 737-200s had pulled them out of passenger flying almost a decade ago and converted them into cargo planes. Last year, all six of them were grounded. “These planes were sent to the US to be converted into cargo planes by replacing windows with metal.
06/04/11 Smita Aggarwal/Indian Express

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2011