India has rescinded its order grounding the 737 MAX, clearing the way for airlines in India to operate the aircraft as soon as the required updates and maintenance procedures are complete. SpiceJet is the only Indian airline that currently operates the 737 MAX.
India clears the 737 MAX
In the order, issued 26 August by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Indian regulators lift the ban on 737 MAX flights by Indian airlines once they have complied with all of the requirements in the return to service airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Foreign operators of the aircraft wishing to fly in India will need to comply only with the FAA issued airworthiness directive.
Read the full order by the Indian DGCA
Tracking the 737 MAX in India
SpiceJet is the only Indian airline with the 737 MAX in their fleet. SpiceJet took delivery of 13 737-8 MAX before the aircraft was grounded and has 129 additional MAX on order. Boeing has stored at least eight completed aircraft for SpiceJet at its facility in Moses Lake, Washington.
| REGISTRATION | AIRCRAFT TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER (MSN) | AGE | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VT-MAX | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60644 | 2 years | DEL |
| VT-MXA | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64505 | 2 years | CCU |
| VT-MXB | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64506 | 2 years | DEL |
| VT-MXC | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60645 | 2 years | MAA |
| VT-MXD | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64938 | 2 years | DEL |
| VT-MXE | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64939 | 2 years | BLR |
| VT-MXF | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64507 | 2 years | BOM |
| VT-MXG | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64508 | 2 years | AMD |
| VT-MXH | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60646 | 2 years | DEL |
| VT-MXI | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64940 | 2 years | HYD |
| VT-MXJ | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 64509 | 2 years | AMD |
| VT-MXK | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60224 | 2 years | DEL |
| VT-MXL | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60223 | 2 years | MWH |
| VT-MXM | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60225 | 2 years | MWH |
| VT-MXN | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60226 | 2 years | MWH |
| VT-MXO | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60650 | 2 years | MWH |
| VT-MXQ | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60652 | 1 year | MWH |
| VT-MXR | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60653 | 1 year | MWH |
| VT-MXW | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60649 | 2 years | MWH |
| VT-MXX | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60184 | 2 years | MAA |
| VT-MXY | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 60186 | 2 years | MWH |
Defunct Jet Airways also briefly operated the 737 MAX and at one point even had 225 on order.
Still awaiting re-certification
The largest outstanding certification hurdle for the 737 MAX is China, which was the first to ground the aircraft and seems like it will be last to re-certify it. The MAX also remains grounded in Russia, creating a large portion of the eastern hemisphere off limits to Boeing’s jet.
