Air India is now grappling with a hefty parking fee of approximately £82,000 for a Boeing 737 that has been missing for over a decade. The aircraft, which vanished from records in 2012, has resurfaced after authorities located it at Kolkata Airport, where it had been quietly parked away from public view.
The situation began to unfold earlier this month when Kolkata Airport officials contacted Air India regarding the long-lost passenger jet. The airline was shocked to receive an invoice for 10 million rupees (around £82,000) to cover the accumulated parking fees. The Boeing, weighing 30 tonnes, had been left unattended in a remote area of the airport tarmac, leading to its significant charges.
Air India initially contended that the aircraft was not theirs, but the claim was dismissed. The Boeing was previously registered to Indian Airlines, which merged with Air India 18 years ago. Following its merger, the aircraft was leased to the Indian postal service before being converted into a cargo plane. In a turn of events, Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, made the decision to decommission the aircraft, a move that was unfortunately not documented properly. This oversight left staff searching for the plane for months.
Recent Challenges Facing Air India
This incident comes at a challenging time for Air India, which has faced scrutiny following a tragic crash on June 12, 2023. Flight 171 crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, en route to London Gatwick. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 241 individuals on board, along with an additional 19 fatalities when the plane struck residential buildings.
Among the survivors was Viswashkumar Ramesh, a British national from Leicester, who spoke to Sky News about his ongoing struggles following the crash. He suffers from significant physical injuries, including knee, shoulder, and back pain, as well as burns to his left arm. In recognition of his suffering, he has received an interim payment of £21,500, which serves as a one-time advance during his personal injury claim process.
Air India has been approached for comments regarding both the parking fee situation and the aftermath of the recent crash. As the airline navigates these issues, the recovery of the lost Boeing 737 adds another layer of complexity to its operations and public image.
