New Delhi:(Page3 News Network)-Air India today grounded all its six Dreamliner planes after a global directive by US regulator, Federal Aviation Administration,FAA ,to stop operations of all the 50 such planes delivered so far to various airlines.US today also grounded its entire fleet of Dreamliners.Yesterday, Japan had grounded 24 Dreamliner owned by two of its airlines .This follows FAA drawing concern on the safety standards of the batteries used in the aircraft.Air India officials said they have grounded all the six planes with immediate effect following the FAA directive and the DGCA advisory.They said that FAA has directed the grounding of the entire Dreamliner fleet till such time as the aircraft manufacturer Boeing demonstrate compliance of various measures the American regulator has asked it to carry out.
However, the Air India officials maintained that its services will not be affected in any major way as flights to Paris and Frankurt operated by the Dreamliner will now be serviced by Boeing 777.While one of the six planes is always on a standby, three are used on the domestic sector and two on international including Paris and Frankfurt.Domestic services would be absorbed by the existing fleet of aircraft.
Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today said the grounded fleet of Boeing Dreamliner aircraft would be allowed to fly only after clearance by US regulator Federal Aviation Administration and the DGCA.Talking to reporters in New Delhi he expressed hope that a solution will be found soon.
