SpiceJet<\/a> is the only Indian carrier having 737Max aircraft in its fleet. The budget airline grounded 13 such planes in March last year. When contacted regarding this matter on Friday, a senior DGCA official responded, \u201cOn the specific issue of simulator training, we have made our stand clear and shall have it and that too in India under our eyes.\u201d<\/p>\nOn the other conversations among Boeing executives, the official told PTI, \u201cWe respect his views and shall improve to come up to expectations.\u201d According to the documents accessed by PTI, on December 12, 2017, two Boeing executives had a discussion around 8.35 pm (local time) using text messages regarding the approvals of 737Max plane by DGCA in India.<\/p>\n
In one of the conversations regarding 737Max approvals, the first Boeing executive states how officials of a regulator \u2013 which is not the DGCA \u2013 are \u201cidiots\u201d. The executive then adds, \u201cThe DCGA in India is apparently even stupider, if that\u2019s a word. I am drinking obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second executive responded,\u201dSounds about right!\u201d An hour later, two executives were recorded discussing the 737Max approvals \u2013 using text messages \u2013 by the DGCA in India. However, it is not clear if these two executives, who are discussing this matter, are the same ones who were talking about the matter earlier.<\/p>\n
In this second conversation, the two Boeing executives are discussing a call that one of them had with the DGCA regarding 737Max approvals. The first executive is recorded to have said, \u201cI just Jedi mind tricked this (these) fools. I should be given $1000 every time I take one of these calls. I save this company a sick amount of $$$$.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second executive then asked what did the first executive convinced the DGCA of. The first executive responded, \u201cTo simply produce an email from me to the DGCA that states all the airlines and regulators\u2026 accept only the Max CBT (computer based training).\u201d<\/p>\n
The first executive further said, \u201cTo make them feel stupid about trying to require any additional training requirements.\u201d In 2017, the DGCA was enquiring if it is necessary to have a mandatory simulator-based training for pilots that will fly 737Max planes in Indian airspace. Since the ban of 737Max plane in India by the DGCA in March 2019, the regulator has made it clear to Boeing that simulator-based training must be conducted for all pilots of 737Max planes and only then a green light would be given. When asked about the aforementioned conversations of December 2017 among its executives, Boeing India said, \u201cThese communications do not reflect the company we are and need to be, and they are completely unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe regret the content of these communications, and apologize to the DGCA, SpiceJet, and to the flying public for them,\u201d it added. The company noted that the language used in these communications, and some of the sentiments they express, are inconsistent with Boeing values, and the company is taking appropriate action in response. \u201cThis will ultimately include disciplinary or other personnel action, once the necessary reviews are completed,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
![\"Boeing,\u00a0737Max](\"https:\/\/images.financialexpress.com\/2020\/01\/boeing.jpg\")