Air India Discovers Boeing 737-200 Cargo Jet Missing for 13 Years at Kolkata.

Air India recently confirmed a major lapse in its record-keeping. The airline admitted losing track of a Boeing 737-200 cargo plane for 13 years. The jet was found parked in a remote bay at Kolkata airport (CCU). The discovery of the Air India lost aircraft came after the airport requested its removal in November. The narrow-body jet, registered as VT-EHH decommissioned jet, had been quietly accumulating substantial Kolkata airport parking fees since 2012.

The Mystery of VT-EHH

The Boeing 737-200 was a first-generation model. It was grounded and decommissioned in 2012. The aircraft began its life with Indian Airlines in 1982. It was absorbed into Air India after the two carriers merged in 2007. The jet was later converted for freight use. It was leased to India Post before its final withdrawal from service.

The aircraft slipped off the books during successive Air India restructurings. It was repeatedly left out of internal records. This included the airline's privatization in 2022. The jet never appeared on key transfer documents. This meant the asset was entirely forgotten by management.

Financial and Operational Oversight

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson acknowledged the oversight. He noted the plane was "lost from memory" in an internal memo. The discovery only happened when the airport issued a formal removal request. The airline initially disputed the invoices. They claimed to have no record of the parked aircraft.

The airline ultimately agreed to pay its dues. The accumulated Kolkata airport parking fees totaled nearly Rs10 million (£83,362). This oversight highlights significant gaps in aircraft asset management. Aviation analysts note that airlines are usually vigilant. Grounded aircraft represent a cost, not value.

John Strickland of JLS Consulting stressed oversight is normally tight. Maintenance histories and serial numbers are strictly controlled. The incident reflects "structural documentation chaos" from the former state-run carrier era. This is according to reports in the Tribune India.

Industry Impact and Future Use

The discovery of the VT-EHH decommissioned jet points to a wider issue. Airport officials noted VT-EHH was the 14th defunct aircraft cleared in five years. This shows enforcement gaps around abandoned planes. The Indian regulator, the DGCA, oversees airworthiness and safety. This case underscores the need for robust aviation asset recovery processes. The grounded aircraft disposal process must be more tightly controlled.

The plane was removed on November 14. It was transported by road to Bengaluru. It will be repurposed for ground-based engineering training. The space it occupied will be used for new hangars. This story offers a unique look into commercial aviation news and asset tracking challenges.