Taking all precautions to ensure safe air travel, DCGA tells Bombay HC

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday once again reiterated to the Bombay High Court that it is taking all precautionary steps to ensure the safety of air passengers.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh informed the court that the DCGA was taking all the necessary precautions in the wake of certain A320 neo planes, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, being grounded due to engine failures.

A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice GS Kulkarni was hearing a PIL filed by Harish Agarwal, a resident. The bench said that the Union government and DGCA are duty-bound to ensure that full safety measures are taken. The petitioner had sought appropriate directions to Civil Aviation authorities over recent reports of engine failures.

In an affidavit filed on Thursday, the DGCA said Pratt & Whitney engines are safe and airworthy. "Even if there are problems in the pre-450 series of the PW engines, that does not mean that the aircraft is unsafe or not airworthy.

Timely inspection and maintenance would ensure that the engines do not develop any snag," it said.

The bench said if DGCA experts felt that all measures have been taken then the petition could be disposed of and posted the matter for hearing on April 16.

The petitioner had claimed that the European Air Safety Authority (EASA) had issued an airworthiness directive for A320 neo planes fitted with PW1100 engines having a particular serial number, in February this year.

Indigo at present has replaced engines in six and only three are grounded while in Go Air two engines are replaced and only one plane is grounded.