East-West Airlines was the first Indian private scheduled airline to take off the ground after the Open Skies policy was announced in 1991. The airline ceased operations in 1996.[1]
Contents |
East West Airlines began operations in early 1992, when the Indian Government opened up the industry to its "open skies policy" that gave rise to numerous private 'air taxi operators' that serviced India. The airline operated its offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Trivandrum. It started, as per government stipulations, with three aircraft, all Boeing 737-200s.[1] During the Indian Airlines strike In 1992, to counter the impact of a crippling Indian Airlines pilot strike, the then-Civil Aviation minister, Madhavrao Scindia aked the airline to bring in more aircraft. East West went on to acquire four more planes taking their count to seven Boeing 737s.[2] The Indian Government granted scheduled domestic airline status to nine private air-taxi operators including East West in 1994. [3]
On November 13, 1995 The company's managing director Thakiyudeen Wahid was shot dead near his Mumbai office.[4] The airline owed 3.3 million dollars to PLM Equipment - the company from which they had leased three Boeings.[5] The American company first appealed to the DGCA to deregister the aircraft and then went to court. The Delhi high court ordered East West to pay up or return the planes. The three planes were then grounded. In May 1996 the airline sought and was given DGCA permission to stop flying trunk routes due to a shortage of aircraft. By June 1996 they decided to fly only from Bombay to non-trunk destinations like Calicut, Trivandrum, Cochin. Finally, on August 8, 1996, East West Airlines ceased all operations.[1]
East West operated a total fleet of 11 aircraft, including 8 leased Boeing B737s and 3 Fokker F27 After the Airline shut down operations, the Boeings were returned to the lessors[6] while 2 Fokkers were stored at Mumbai Airport until 2006 when they were auctioned off by AAI to recover some of the dues it was owed by way of parking and landing charges. [7] [8]
Registration | From | To |
---|---|---|
VT-EWA | Leased from GPA in April 1992 | Returned to GPA on 23-08-1993 |
VT-EWB | Leased from PLM International Inc on 30-05-1992 | Returned to PLM in July 1998 |
VT-EWC | Leased from PLM International Inc on 30-05-1992 | Returned to PLM in Jan 1997. PLM leased it back to Sahara India Airlines |
VT-EWD | Leased from GPA in Dec 1992 | Returned to GPA in Oct 1996 |
VT-EWF | Leased from GECAS in Dec 1992 | Returned to GECAS in July 1997 |
VT-EWH | Leased from Aer Lingus in Jan 1993 | Returned to Aer Lingus in Jan 1997 |
VT-EWI | Leased from Aer Lingus in Jan 1993 | Returned to Aer Lingus in July 1997 |
VT-EWJ | Leased from PLM International Inc in Jan 1993 | Returned to PLM in October 1996 |
Registration | From | To |
---|---|---|
VT-EWE | NLM CityHopper | Stored at Baroda after accident |
VT-EWG | NLM CityHopper | Auctioned by AAI in 2006 to Pune-based Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering. |
VT-EWK | NLM CityHopper | Auctioned by AAI in 2006 to Delhi-based School of Engineering and Technology |
On 1 July 1995, an East West Airlines Fokker F-27, registered VT-EWE, was engaged in a training touch and go exercise at Vadodara Airport when the aircraft's left main landing gear failed on touchdown. The aircraft continued moving forward on its belly and skid to a halt on the runway. There was no fire and no injury to persons on board the aircraft. Poor maintenance was cited as a contributory factor in the accident. The aircraft was written off. [9]
|