The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended by five days to November 24, 2019, the deadline for IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International) and GoAir (Mumbai International) to replace engines on a total of twelve A320-200neo aircraft, the Indian media have reported.
According to the Economic Times, the DGCA said that IndiGo Airlines has so far replaced engines on 15 out of 23 aircraft it was mandated to upgrade before the November 19 deadline. For GoAir, the number stands at nine out of 13.
"Needless to say that this is below expectation. Nonetheless, as the task is onerous and availability of such engines is an issue, the DGCA has now asked the airlines to complete the task of engine replacement by 24 November," the DGCA said in a statement.
The two LCCs were tasked to replace select, older Pratt & Whitney PW1127G engines with modified low-pressure turbines on a total of 36 A320neo at the end of October. In addition, the DGCA ordered IndiGo Airlines to replace engines on all ninety-seven A320neo and A321-200neo by the end of January 2020.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, GoAir currently operates thirty-eight A320neo (and sixteen A320-200s), while IndiGo Airlines operates ninety A320neo and seven A321neo (as well as 127 A320-200s and twenty-three ATR72-600s).
Air India (AI, Delhi International) and Vistara (UK, Delhi International) also operate A320neo (27 and 14 units, respectively) but equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A26 engines, which are not affected by DGCA's directives.
