Indigo Systems 'Down Across Network', Likely To Hit Nationwide Flight Operations

The IndiGo Airlines reported about total system outage on Monday. The airlines took to Twitter to inform the flyers about the technical glitch. Tweeting the advisory, IndiGo said, “Our systems are down across the network. We are expecting the counters to be crowded more than usual. Please bear with us as we try to solve the issue asap. For assistance, contact us on Twitter/Facebook or chat with us.” It is still not clear if the system glicth has anything to do with the ongoing smoggy conditions in the North India. On Sunday, over 550 flights were delayed or diverted at the Delhi Airport due to poor visibility.

#6ETravelAdvisory : Our systems are down across the network. We are expecting the counters to be crowded more than usual. Please bear with us as we try to solve the issue asap. For assistance, contact us on Twitter/Facebook or chat with us at https://t.co/MLOVgXpFO0

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 4, 2019

Last week, the budget carrier had placed an order for 300 A320neo family aircraft, comprising A320neos, A321neos and A321XLRs. The airline, however, did not disclose the value of order. With this, IndiGos total number of A320neo family aircraft order now stands at 730, the airline said in a statement.

"This order is an important milestone. India is expected to continue with its strong aviation growth and we are well on our way to serve more customers and deliver on our promise of providing low fares, among others," said Ronojoy Dutta, chief executive officer, IndiGo.

This marks one of Airbus largest aircraft orders ever with a single airline operator, the airline said. IndiGo had earlier in three tranches placed orders for 530 Airbus planes between 2005 and 2015. "We are delighted that IndiGo, one of our early launch customers for the A320neo, continues to build its future with Airbus, making IndiGo the worlds biggest customer for the A320neo family, said Guillaume Faury, chief executive officer, Airbus.

Previously, the country's civil aviation regulator, DGCA, had asked IndiGo not to use such A320 Neo planes which are fitted with PW engines already used for over 3,000 hours, or face grounding of aircraft, officials said. A Directorate General of Civil Aviation official said there are 16 aircraft in IndiGo's fleet in which both the Pratt and Whitney (PW) engines have been used for more than 2,900 hours. All such 16 aircraft have to be fitted with at least one modified LPT engine within next 15 days, said the official.

"Failing which, all these aircraft shall be  grounded. This has been done after studying the pattern and evaluating the risk," the DGCA official said. In a statement, IndiGo said, "We are continuing to work with the authorities and will take necessary actions, as required, going forward." In October, Indigo has reported three in-flight engine shutdowns on the A320 (Neo) fitted with PW engines.