Kingfisher Airlines, which had kept nine of its A320 aircraft grounded for a little over six months due to engine problems, has brought seven of those back into its operational fleet. The other two will be back in two months. Of its 66-aircraft fleet, 23 are A320s. These single-aisle planes, made by European consortium Airbus Industrie, can seat between 160 and 180. They are considered ideal for domestic and short-haul international operations.
Nine of Kingfisher’s A320s were grounded after their IAE V2500 engines experienced technical issues with the drum assembly. There were issues with the silver nuts in the engine, which broke in excessive heat.
Among the three listed carriers, Kingfisher, which operates 375 flights a day to 71 destinations in India and abroad, is the only one still making losses in the current financial year. It reported a net loss of Rs 187 crore in the first quarter and Rs 230 crore in the second quarter.
