Aviation regulator DGCA has directed IndiGo to ensure that it grounds one old A320neo aircraft with an unmodified Pratt and Whitney (PW) engine for every new A320 added to its fleet.

The DGCA order comes after a series of incidents were reported with IndiGo’s A320neos with PW engines. It was not immediately known how many aircraft will be affected by the order.

The DGCA said while it “does not wish to interfere with the import of aircraft”, it is its considered view that from now on, every aircraft that is added to the existing fleet leads to one of those with PW unmodified engines being grounded. The new aircraft may be operated on the same schedule as the earlier one.

“The grounded aircraft can be allowed a fresh schedule once its engines are replaced. This process may remain in force till all the engines have been replaced,” the DGCA said. Further, if IndiGo manages to procure sufficient engines from original equipment manufacturers for replacement, the process can be suitably altered, the DGCA added.