INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
has told one of the biggest 737 Max buyers, budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd., that the grounded jet should be back in the air by July, signaling
a quicker return for the plane than many in the industry expect."The timeline that's been communicated to us based on their experience is
July -- end of June basically," SpiceJet's Chief Financial Officer Kiran Koteshwar said in an interview
"We are expecting it to be July."That's a more bullish timeline than most regulators and airlines have predicted after the best-selling
jet was grounded worldwide in March following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.European regulators assessing proposed changes to the Max
are planning to scrutinize the jet's entire flight-control system before a return to the skies can be approved, while US aviation
regulators said they won't rush the matter
Regulators in Indonesia, one of the biggest markets for the plane, has signaled it may keep the jet parked until next year."All the other
regulators will also have to be happy with them," Mr Koteshwar said
But he said Boeing is "pretty confident" it will get all approvals by July.Representatives for Boeing in India didn't immediately respond to
a request for comment.Compensation TalksOfficials from China, Canada and the European Union have signaled they intend to independently
review changes to the Boeing planes before allowing flights to resume
South Korean authorities are also said to be making their own decision, after closely monitoring steps taken by regulators in Europe and
China.SpiceJet has been in talks with Boeing for compensation although hasn't yet received any, Koteshwar said
before the model was grounded, still expects to receive as many as 25 more in the current financial year
It has as many as 205 of those aircraft on order, including options.
