After Whistleblowers' 'Asked To Change Statement' Claim, Air India Issues Clarification On Safety Checks
Following the AI171 crash, Air India assured safety, citing maintenance and crew qualifications. Earlier, 2 ex-crew members alleged ignored safety warnings led to the crash, claiming wrongful termination for raising issues.
Air India has issued a detailed statement assuring passengers that safety remains its top priority, following the fatal crash of Flight AI171 on June 12 in Ahmedabad. The airline’s message came in the aftermath of serious allegations raised by two former cabin crew members who claimed the tragedy could have been prevented.
The airline conveyed its condolences over the loss of 241 passengers and crew members, along with 34 individuals on the ground. “Words cannot express the pain we feel for the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event,” the statement read. Air India confirmed it is working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the crash and is committed to supporting affected families.
“We are reaching out with heavy hearts following the tragic crash… Our thoughts are with everyone touched by this loss,” said Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson.
Aircraft, Crew Cleared Safety Checks, Says Airline
The airline clarified that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the crash had undergone all necessary maintenance procedures. It had its last major check in June 2023 and was due for the next in December 2025. The engines were inspected in March and April 2025 respectively and showed no prior issues.
The flight was led by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior instructor with over 10,000 hours of widebody flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kunder, with more than 3,400 flying hours. Air India said all facts shared were based on current findings and it awaited the final investigation report.
Following directives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 14, Air India began detailed inspections of its 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. So far, 26 have been cleared for service, while the remaining are undergoing scheduled maintenance and will be checked before flying. The DGCA has confirmed that Air India’s maintenance processes meet required safety standards, the airline added.
In light of ongoing safety checks, international airspace restrictions, and other operational challenges, Air India announced a temporary reduction of its international widebody flights by 15% from June 20 through mid-July. “We’re truly sorry for the inconvenience,” the airline said, promising rebooking or refunds for affected passengers.
Sacked Staff Flagged Safety Concerns Before Crash
The statement comes after a letter dated June 19 from two former senior cabin crew members accused both Air India and DGCA of ignoring repeated safety warnings before the AI171 crash. They alleged they were sacked in 2024 after highlighting technical defects in Dreamliner aircraft and refusing to alter their statements regarding a prior safety incident.
“We would like to place on record that the said accident was waiting to happen as our various statements and contentions relating to the technical aspects and defects in the Aircraft… were deliberately pulled under the carpet,” the letter read. The crew members claimed they had raised red flags for months, only to be dismissed without inquiry in what they termed a “gross abuse of power.”
DGCA Clears Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet Post-Crash, Flags Maintenance Issues
India's aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), announced on Tuesday that its recent enhanced surveillance of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet has not uncovered any significant safety concerns, following a fatal crash involving a Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad last week. However, the regulator did express worries regarding recent maintenance issues at the airline.
The DGCA initiated its enhanced surveillance of Air India's 33-strong Boeing 787 fleet (comprising 26 787-8 and seven 787-9 aircraft) on June 13, just a day after the Ahmedabad crash that claimed 241 lives. In a statement, the DGCA affirmed that "The recent surveillance conducted on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns. The aircraft and associated maintenance systems were found to be compliant with existing safety standards."
During a detailed review meeting held with top executives from Air India and Air India Express, DGCA officials discussed the findings. As of 3 PM on June 17, a total of 24 Boeing 787 aircraft had successfully completed the required checks. The DGCA stated that "An additional two aircraft are planned for completion today, with one more scheduled for Wednesday."
Of the remaining six aircraft, two (VT-ANG and VT-ANT) are currently grounded in Delhi. The DGCA clarified that "The checks on these two will be carried out post-declaration of serviceability and prior to their return to service." Furthermore, four aircraft are presently undergoing major checks at various MRO facilities and "will undergo the mandated check prior to their release from the respective maintenance hangars," the DGCA added.
DGCA Flags Maintenance-Related Concerns
While the fleet's overall safety was deemed compliant, the DGCA flagged concerns regarding maintenance-related issues reported by Air India. To address these, the regulator has issued specific directives to the Tata Group-owned airlines. According to the DGCA's statement, "The airline was advised to strengthen internal coordination across engineering, operations, ground handling units and ensure availability of adequate spares to mitigate passenger delays resulting from such issues and strictly adhere to regulations."
The DGCA has also recommended the implementation of "a more systematic and real-time defect reporting mechanism to ensure that operational and safety-critical departments receive timely updates." This measure is expected to "enhance overall decision-making and reduce downstream disruptions."
The review meeting, which aimed to assess the "operational robustness of the airlines and ensure continued compliance with safety and passenger service regulations," also took stock of disruptions caused by the closure of Iranian airspace. This closure has led to flight diversions, delays, and cancellations for Indian carriers operating to European and Gulf countries. The operators have been instructed to "ensure timely communication with passengers and crew and adopt alternate routing strategies to minimize disruptions," and passengers should be "informed well in advance regarding delays and cancellations," with "emphasis...placed on effective passenger facilitation and timely dissemination of information through all available channels."
Between June 12 and June 17, as many as 66 flights scheduled to be operated by Boeing 787 aircraft were cancelled, while the airline managed to operate 248 flights with the same aircraft type during this period. Air India and Air India Express collectively operate over 1,000 flights daily.
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