DGCA lays down the law , says no Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will be allowed to enter, transit Indian airspace

An official of aviation watchdog DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), on Wednesday, said that all Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in India will be grounded by 4 pm today. 

According to news agency PTI, the regulator, which on Tuesday, decided to immediately ground the aircraft amid global concerns following the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157 people, including four Indians, shall ground all the Bowing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in India by 4 pm.

The planes will stay grounded until appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations.

Boeing 737 MAX operations will stop from/to all Indian airports. 

Additionally, no Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will be allowed to enter or transit the Indian airspace effective 1600 hrs Indian time or 1030 UTC. 

This decision by India comes after several countries grounded the new model of the US aircraft manufacturer's best-selling 737. 

Among Indian carriers, SpiceJet has 13 jets of the model 8 variant in its 75-strong fleet while Jet Airways has five such aircraft.

Both airlines have suspended the operation of their 737 MAX 8 jets following the DGCA's decision.

"Safety and security of our passengers, crew, and operations are of utmost importance to us," SpiceJet said. Earlier on Tuesday, the airline had defended the Jets, calling them "highly sophisticated".

The US aviation regulator said on Tuesday that it would not ground the MAX 8 planes. 

It said a review by the body "shows no systemic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft."