After nearly 18 months, India officially recertified the Boeing 737 MAX yesterday. The ungrounding clears the way for SpiceJet to resume flights and deliveries and for new orders of the type to be booked. Here’s a look at the 737 MAX’s exciting future in India.
In the sky
After taking a conservative approach with recertifying the 737 MAX, India has finally given the aircraft the green light to begin operating. This is excellent news for Boeing, which has struggled to set a timeline for the return and is pushing hard to find more operators of the jet in India.
Currently, there are only 13 737 MAX’s in India, all of which belong to one carrier: SpiceJet. The low-cost carrier has firm orders for 155 MAXs and options for up to 50 more. After months of waiting, these MAX 8s will now be able to fly once again. SpiceJet seems to be eager to get these jets back in the sky soon and has set a timeline after months of inaction.
In a statement yesterday, SpiceJet CEO Ajay Singh said that the MAX would return to the skies soon, with a September resumption most likely. This leaves only a few weeks before operations restart, with the planes now likely undergoing maintenance and pilots preparing in a simulator to resume flying the type.
SpiceJet also settled a dispute with lessor Avolon, clearing the way for further deliveries and one MAX to begin flying. All signs point to a speedy return for the MAX, which will help support the airline’s rapid growth.
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Struggles and bounce back
The 737 MAX has had a tough few years in India. Soon after the type’s global grounding in March 2019, Jet Airways, one of the biggest MAX customers, also went out of business. This meant overnight Boeing had lost nearly half of all 737 MAX orders. This led to a rapid decline in the manufacturer’s overall market share in Indian narrowbodies, a key measure of success.
However, the tide could be turning very soon. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of negotiations between Boeing and Indian startup carrier Akasa Air over an order for 70-100 MAX 8s. Akasa is backed by billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and is looking to make a splash in the low-cost market. A 737 MAX-only fleet will go a long way in helping Boeing reestablish itself in the Indian market, while Akasa gets a hefty discount on the jets.
The inclusion of new customers also means Boeing won’t have to solely rely on the cash-strapped SpiceJet. With more airlines onboard, the 737 MAX is eying an exciting future in the Indian market in the next decade.
Considering nearly 2,000 narrowbodies could be joining airlines by 2039, the Indian market is crucial for Boeing to keep its sales up and bounce back from its years-long slump since the MAX’s grounding.
What do you think about the future of the 737 MAX in India? Let us know in the comments!
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