Airlines operations unaffected by Boeing recommendation to ground 777s: Govt sources

India will continue to use its Boeing 777 planes despite a recommendation by Boeing to ground around 120 of its 777 jets worldwide. The recommendation came after a United Airlines flight from Denver (US) caught fire and fell apart mid-air. Sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation have revealed that Boeing had issued the recommendation for Boeing 777 aircraft with Pratt & Whitney 4000 series engines but the Boeing 777 plane, operated by national carrier Air India, are powered are by General Electric's GE90 range of engines.

New Delhi: A day after Boeing recommended grounding around 120 of its 777 jets worldwide after an engine on a United Airlines flight from Denver (US) caught fire and fell apart mid-air, sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday said this would not impact operations of Indian airlines as the Boeing 777 planes here do not have Pratt and Whitney engines.

"In India, the Boeing 777 plane is operated by national carrier Air India and these planes are powered are by General Electric's GE90 range of engines. The Boeing has recommended for suspending operations of the 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines," said sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He, however, added that Air India has been asked to be vigilant during ground checks as a precautionary measure.

United Airlines on Monday announced the grounding of all Boeing 777 aircraft after one of their planes had to make an emergency landing at Denver airport shortly after take-off.

On Saturday, United Airlines 328 made an emergency landing after its right engine shattered and the debris fell down on a suburban neighbourhood. The catastrophic engine failure prompted United Airlines to ground 24 Boeing 777 aircraft with Pratt & Whitney 4000 series engines.

After the incident, US aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order saying it would be stepping up inspections of Boeing 777 aircraft equipped with certain Pratt Whitney PW4000 engines.

"Immediate or stepped-up inspections of Boeing 777 aircraft equipped with certain Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines. This will likely mean that some aircraft will be removed from service," said FAA.

Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea have also ordered a halt to all flights of Boeing 777s equipped with PW4000 engines.