Air India recently found itself in an unexpected situation after receiving a parking bill of nearly 10 million rupees (around $120,000). The reason behind this surprising bill was the rediscovery of an old Boeing 737-200 that had been sitting quietly at Kolkata Airport for the last 13 years. The aircraft, which had slipped out of the airline’s records, turned into a forgotten piece of aviation history—until the airport authorities contacted the airline again.
This strange and surprising event has drawn attention across India, raising questions about airline record-keeping, airport management, and how a full-sized aircraft can simply be forgotten for over a decade.
A Forgotten Aircraft: How It Started
The Boeing 737-200, registered VT-EHH, was originally taken out of service and parked at a remote area of Kolkata Airport back in 2012. The aircraft was due for retirement, and like many old planes, it was temporarily stored until the airline decided what to do next.
However, over the years, due to:
- staff changes,
- poor record-keeping,
- and lack of communication between departments,
the aircraft gradually faded from the airline’s active records. Employees who originally handled the aircraft left the organization, new staff were unaware of it, and documents were misplaced or forgotten.
As a result, the Boeing 737-200 remained parked exactly where it was—completely unnoticed.
The Rediscovery: A Wake-Up Call
After more than a decade, Kolkata Airport authorities contacted Air India, stating that an abandoned plane on their premises needed to be removed. Airport staff shared details and photos of the aircraft, demanding that the airline take action.
Initially, Air India denied ownership, saying that the aircraft did not belong to them. But after reviewing old files and cross-checking historical data, the airline finally confirmed that the aircraft was indeed theirs.
This rediscovery immediately brought another surprise—the enormous parking bill.
A 10 Million Rupee Parking Bill
Airports charge parking fees for every aircraft parked at their premises. These charges increase over time, and special remote bays also have fees depending on airport policies.
Since the Boeing 737-200 had been parked for 13 years, the total parking charges accumulated to nearly ₹1 crore (10 million rupees).
This included:
- parking charges over 13 years,
- security charges,
- area usage fees,
- and administrative costs.
The bill shocked many, as even Air India’s management was unaware that an aircraft had been quietly eating up parking fees for over a decade.
How Could an Entire Aircraft Be Forgotten?
A large aircraft going missing from an airline’s memory may sound unbelievable, but several factors contributed to the situation:
Staff Turnover Over the Years
Employees who handled the aircraft during its retirement left Air India. The new staff had no knowledge of the aircraft’s existence.
Poor Record Keeping
Documentation related to old aircraft was not properly updated or transferred during the organization’s restructuring.
Storage in a Remote Area
The aircraft was parked on a remote edge of Kolkata Airport, far from active runways, making it easy to overlook.
Lack of Coordination Between Airport and Airline
For years, neither side initiated follow-up action regarding the aircraft’s status.
This combination of human error, organizational changes, and oversight led to the unusual situation.
Airport Officials Demand Removal
After rediscovering the forgotten plane, Kolkata Airport instructed Air India to remove it immediately. Old, abandoned aircraft can cause:
- space shortages,
- safety issues,
- and unnecessary maintenance costs for airport authorities.
The removal process includes:
- dismantling the aircraft,
- transporting parts,
- disposing the metal,
- and clearing the parking spot.
This is expected to take several weeks depending on availability of manpower and equipment.
Impact on Air India
This incident has raised internal questions for Air India’s management.
Major concerns include:
- How could records disappear?
- Why was there no follow-up on retired planes?
- Who is responsible for the oversight?
- How many other old aircraft might be unaccounted for?
The airline is reportedly reviewing its record-keeping systems and updating asset tracking to prevent such incidents in the future.
Public Reaction: Shock and Humor
The story quickly went viral on social media, with many people expressing surprise—and even amusement—that a full-sized aircraft could be forgotten.
Common reactions included:
- “How do you lose a plane?”
- “This is the world’s most expensive parking mistake.”
- “Even my bike gets towed if I forget it for a day!”
While the incident has a humorous side, it also highlights the importance of proper documentation in large organizations.
Key Facts in Table Format
| Detail Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Model | Boeing 737-200 |
| Registration | VT-EHH |
| Parked Since | 2012 |
| Airport | Kolkata Airport |
| Total Parking Bill | Nearly ₹10 million |
| Reason for Issue | Lost from airline records |
| Current Action | Removal and dismantling |
| Lesson Learned | Need for better record-keeping |
Final Words
The story of Air India’s forgotten Boeing 737-200 and the massive 13-year parking bill is a surprising example of how even major organizations can lose track of large assets. While it may seem unbelievable that a full aircraft could be forgotten, the incident highlights the dangers of poor documentation and communication gaps.
For Air India, this serves as a reminder to improve its record-keeping systems—especially as the airline moves forward under new ownership and modernization plans. For the public, it remains a fascinating and slightly humorous story of how a lost jet suddenly reappeared after more than a decade.
more:- Air India