DGCA asks airlines to ground Boeing 737 MAX, flight tickets may cost more

The air passengers may have to shell out more on flight tickets as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed the airlines to ground the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft following a crash in Ethiopia which killed 157 people on Sunday. This was the second 737 MAX crash in less than six months. At least 189 people were killed when a Lion Air jet had crashed in Indonesia in October last year. 

The aviation ministry in a tweet stated that these planes will be grounded until appropriate modifications and safety measures are in place to ensure their safe operations.

"DGCA has taken the decision to ground the Boeing 737-MAX planes immediately. These planes will be grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations. (1/2)," Ministry of Civil Aviation tweeted. In another tweet, the ministry said that it will wrok closely with various organisations to ensure passenger safety.

"As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety. (2/2)," the ministry tweeted. In India, two airlines SpiceJet and Jet Airways have these planes. SpiceJet has 12 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, while Jet Airways also hold a couple of these aircraft. One plane may take a couple of trips a day. 

Civil Aviation Secretary has called an emergency meeting of all airlines at 4 pm today in Delhi.

DGCA has taken the decision to ground the Boeing 737-MAX planes immediately. These planes will be grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations. (1/2)

— Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) March 12, 2019

Tushar Srivastava, head of communications at SpiceJet, in a tweet said that the airline has suspended Boeing 737 Max operations following DGCA's decision to ground the planes even as the airline said that "Boeing 737 Max is a highly sophisticated aircraft.

"We are actively engaged with both Boeing and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and will continue to put safety first, as always. We have already implemented all additional precautionary measures as directed by the DGCA yesterday," he added.

Many countries including China, Singapore, and Australia have imposed a ban on the aircraft.