Aviation safety watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday allowed Boeing 737 MAX 8s to overfly India in a move that will enable foreign carriers to operate the aircraft.
The aircraft continues to be banned for commercial operations in the country since its involvement in two air crashes more than two years back. However, several airlines in the past few months have resumed operating the aircraft following clearances by European and U.S. regulatory bodies upon modifications.
The regulator on Tuesday modified its ban on Boeing 737 MAX 8 to exempt “foreign registered Boeing 737 Max aircraft, for overflying the Indian airspace provided that the aircraft has been permitted by the regulatory authority of the State of Registry of the said aircraft for conduct of such operations and subject to obtaining permission from DGCA.”
The DGCA has also permitted 737 MAXs grounded in the country and belonging to foreign lessors to be flown out.
