Interglobe Aviation 's IndiGo has achieved a significant milestone by receiving its first Airbus A321 XLR aircraft at Delhi airport on Wednesday. The aircraft will be deployed for non-stop services to Athens from Delhi and Mumbai starting later this month, marking IndiGo as the first Indian carrier to induct the long-range variant of the Airbus A321neo into its fleet.

Aircraft Specifications and Configuration

The next-generation narrow-body aircraft offers impressive capabilities that enhance IndiGo's operational reach. The A321 XLR features advanced specifications designed for long-haul efficiency:

Delivery Timeline and Fleet Expansion

IndiGo has placed a substantial order for the A321 XLR aircraft as part of its fleet modernization strategy. The delivery schedule reflects the airline's commitment to gradual expansion:

After the Athens route launch, subsequent aircraft will be deployed on existing international routes including Istanbul, Turkey, and Denpasar, Bali. Future aircraft deliveries will enable IndiGo to expand into new long-haul routes across Europe and East Asia.

Strategic Impact and Leadership Perspective

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating it represents "an important milestone as we prepare to redefine long-haul travel for India." The advanced capabilities of the A321 XLR enable the airline to reach newer regions globally while strengthening India's position as a key player in international aviation.

Jurgen Westermeier, President & Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, highlighted that the aircraft serves as a catalyst for IndiGo's international growth. The A321 XLR opens access to mid-to-long-haul routes previously unreachable by single-aisle aircraft, significantly enhancing India's global connectivity.

Operational Advantages

The A321 XLR provides IndiGo with enhanced operational flexibility through its combination of range and fuel efficiency. This enables the airline to serve longer international routes from India while maintaining high cost-efficiency standards. The aircraft acts as a bridge linking Indian cities to new destinations worldwide, supporting India's ambition to become a global aviation hub.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recommended that aviation regulator DGCA carry out inspections to assess the effectiveness of airlines' safety management systems following a serious airprox incident involving two Interglobe Aviation planes. The recommendation comes after a comprehensive investigation into an incident that occurred in Delhi airspace on November 17, 2023.

Investigation Findings

The AAIB's 35-page final investigation report examined the airprox incident involving IndiGo's A321 aircraft operating flight IGO2113 from Delhi to Hyderabad and A320 plane operating flight IGO2206 from Delhi to Raipur. An airprox refers to two aircraft coming closer than the permitted distance between them, while Standard Instrument Departure Route (SID) pertains to the route an aircraft takes from take-off to the enroute phase.

Probable Causes Identified

The investigation identified several probable causes for the serious incident:

• Non-adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by the crew of IGO2113 during cockpit preparation
• Failure to update the SID when provided
• Inadequate measures taken to minimize disturbances during cockpit preparation
• Failure to cross-verify SID information during the TPC (Threats-Plan-Considerations) briefing
• Lack of monitoring during the climb phase

The airline's failure to take timely action despite repeated SID-related occurrences prior to the particular incident was identified as a contributing factor.

Pattern of Safety Concerns

AAIB's detailed examination of occurrence data provided by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) revealed a concerning pattern of safety incidents:

Scrutiny of occurrence and safety reports, along with technical logbooks for the involved aircraft, showed that no Pilot Defect Report (PDR) entries were recorded for any of the SID deviations. The two events were brought to the airline's attention through an email from AAI rather than internal reporting mechanisms.

AAIB Recommendations

The investigation bureau has made several key recommendations:

For DGCA:

• Conduct a one-time inspection to assess the effectiveness of safety management systems of all scheduled operators and air navigation service providers
• Reiterate rules to ensure compliance with prompt reporting of mandatory occurrences

For AAI:

• Conduct a study on unjustified Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA)
• Study other Air Navigation Service Providers conducting high-intensity simultaneous parallel departures
• Identify possible shortcomings in airspace design and Air Traffic Control procedures

Corrective Actions Taken

The report noted that IndiGo has implemented corrective measures including:

• Reiterating the importance of completing aircraft set-up before conducting briefings
• Ensuring correct Flight Management and Guidance System (FMGS) entry
• Avoiding disturbances during cockpit preparation
• Carrying out comprehensive cross-checks during training activities

The AAIB's recommendations underscore the critical importance of robust safety management systems and proper incident reporting mechanisms in maintaining aviation safety standards across the industry.