Unbelievable ‘Ghost Plane’ Discovery: Boeing 737-200 Hidden in Plain Sight for Thirteen Years at Kolkata Airport—The Shocking Truth Revealed!

Published on December 8, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

In one of the most bizarre cases of asset mismanagement, a Boeing 737-200, which had been grounded at Kolkata International Airport (CCU) for over a decade, has recently been discovered, leaving Air India and Tata Group stunned. The aircraft, registered as VT-EHH, was left unaccounted for in financial records, insurance logs, and maintenance schedules. Here’s the shocking breakdown of this ‘ghost plane’ incident that has left aviation experts scratching their heads.

The Who, What, Where, When, and Why Behind the ‘Ghost Plane’ Incident

What Happened?
The Boeing 737-200, which had originally been delivered to Indian Airlines in 1982, was forgotten at Kolkata Airport for a staggering 13 years. Despite being physically parked at the airport’s remote bay since 2012, the plane had vanished from all official records—leading to its oversight when Tata Group acquired Air India in 2022.

Where Did This Take Place?
The incident occurred at Kolkata International Airport (CCU), located in West Bengal, India. This international hub, which serves millions of passengers annually, has witnessed numerous airline operations over the years. Yet, one aircraft, the VT-EHH, sat grounded, unclaimed, and unnoticed until its unexpected discovery in late November 2025.

Who Was Involved?
The primary parties affected by this incident are Air India and its new owners, Tata Group, who acquired the airline in 2022. Interestingly, the aircraft’s absence from the asset list meant that Tata Group was unaware they had even owned it. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Airport authorities were the ones who uncovered the oversight and were left to deal with the aftermath, including a significant unpaid parking bill.

When Did This Incident Come to Light?
This startling oversight came to light in late November 2025, when Kolkata Airport authorities, facing a need to expand their infrastructure, contacted Air India to move “their plane” parked in a secluded part of the airfield. Shockingly, Air India’s management was taken aback as their official records showed no trace of the aircraft.

Why Did This Happen?
This administrative oversight stems from the chaotic years during Air India’s state ownership. The aircraft was grounded in 2012 after serving as a freighter for India Post. During those years, critical paperwork and records associated with the plane were mishandled. When Air India was privatized and sold to Tata Group in 2022, the aircraft had already been omitted from financial records, making it a ‘ghost asset.’ The omission went unnoticed for years, until the airport authorities needed the space.

The Cost of the ‘Ghost Plane’—Unpaid Bills and Aftermath

The oversight didn’t come without its costs. For 13 years, the aircraft was left to rack up parking and handling fees, amounting to approximately ₹1 Crore (roughly $120,000). Air India was forced to pay this substantial fee to the airport authorities in order to resolve the situation.

Once the aircraft was identified and located, it was not scrapped or recycled in the traditional sense. Instead, it was dismantled and sold, then transported by road on a trailer to Bengaluru, where its fuselage will be repurposed as a training mock-up for aircraft maintenance engineers at a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

The History of the Boeing 737-200: VT-EHH

The Boeing 737-200 had a long and varied history. Delivered to Indian Airlines in 1982, it was later leased to Alliance Air in 1998. The aircraft was converted into a freighter in 2007 to serve India Post’s logistics needs. However, by 2012, it was grounded at Kolkata Airport and left out of records, ultimately becoming a forgotten relic of Air India’s tumultuous past.

How Did This ‘Ghost Asset’ Remain Hidden for So Long?

The plane’s presence at Kolkata International Airport might have been a glaring oversight, but it wasn’t immediately apparent due to a series of administrative mistakes and an incomplete asset register. While the aircraft sat idle for over a decade, Air India’s ownership transitioned to the Tata Group in 2022, who inherited a fleet of planes, including this one—without any awareness of its existence.

The lack of clarity regarding the aircraft’s status was compounded by the failure to track and update critical records. With the aircraft not listed in financial documents or maintenance schedules, it became a literal ‘ghost asset,’ seemingly existing in the physical world but missing from all official documentation.

The Impact on Air India and Tata Group

This incident highlights the severe lack of administrative controls during Air India’s state-run years, which led to the mishandling of valuable assets like the Boeing 737-200. Tata Group, after acquiring Air India, inherited not only the airline’s operational capabilities but also its baggage—literally and figuratively. It serves as a cautionary tale for companies taking over large, complex organizations without fully understanding the scale of their assets, liabilities, and record-keeping practices.

Aviation Oversight and Asset Management: Lessons Learned

The ‘Ghost Plane’ incident underscores the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date records for all assets. This administrative blunder serves as a lesson in the need for thorough audits, transparent reporting, and accountability within airline operations. It also highlights the complexities of managing an extensive fleet of aircraft—especially when transitioning from government control to private ownership.

Conclusion:
The ‘Ghost Plane’ incident at Kolkata Airport is a remarkable case of bureaucratic negligence, highlighting the complex transition from state-owned to privately-run airlines. Tata Group’s discovery of an asset that had been omitted from the records for over a decade is a wake-up call for the aviation industry. It’s clear that no matter how big or small the asset, the importance of accurate and thorough management cannot be overstated.

Image: Air India