On August 8, Akasa Air and Air India Express said the FAA’s new inspection order for certain Boeing 737 aircraft does not affect their fleets.
Akasa Air, which flies 40 all‑new 737 MAX planes, explained that the required inspection after 30,000 flight cycles will not be reached for more than 13 years given current use.
The airline’s spokesperson added that with the longest lease at 12 years, the directive has no practical impact on Akasa Air.
Air India Express, operating around 80 Boeing 737 aircraft, also confirmed that the FAA order does not affect its operations.
Together, Akasa Air, Air India Express and SpiceJet operate over 140 Boeing 737s in India, but only Akasa and Air India Express addressed the FAA notice.
The FAA issued the Airworthiness Directive on August 7 after reports of cracks in the bearing strap near the forward galley door of certain 737‑8, 737‑9 and 737‑8200 models.
The directive requires operators to inspect fuselage skin for existing repairs and carry out corrective action where necessary.
Boeing said it had identified the issue and has been working with airlines on inspections for six years, with periodic checks since 2021, and first notified operators of 737 Next Generation aircraft in 2019.
The company added that the problem has not been seen on the 737 MAX fleet, but the inspections were extended to MAX planes because of shared design and production processes, and that it supports both directives and continues to aid airline customers.