Air India has recently identified a long-forgotten B737-200(F) aircraft that was parked and unregistered for over a decade. The aircraft, registered as VT-EHH with MSN 22863, had been stored in Kolkata without proper records and was not included in the airline’s official fleet documentation until its discovery.
The airline's CEO, Campbell Wilson, explained that the aircraft's existence was unknown until Kolkata airport authorities prompted the airline to take action. Originally decommissioned to support India Post services, the aircraft was omitted from internal records, leading to its unnoticed presence. This led to the airline formally removing the aircraft from its assets, marking a step in fleet modernization after Tata Sons' acquisition in 2022.
Background and Fleet History
VT-EHH operated from 2007 to 2011 as part of Air India's fleet of five B737-200(F)s introduced during that period. The type was retired by 2018. Another aircraft of the same type, VT-EGG, was stored and later transformed into a themed restaurant in Rajasthan, exemplifying the airline's fleet transitions.
"Many years before privatization, this aircraft had been decommissioned and was omitted from documents," said Wilson. "Now, we have accounted for it and removed it from our records."
This incident underscores the importance of accurate fleet management and the potential for long-forgotten aircraft to remain in system records. It also highlights how proactive oversight can correct historical oversights, aiding in fleet planning and asset management for modern aviation operations.
