Air India Implements Safety Measures Following AI 171 Crash
Air India Takes Action After Flight AI 171 Incident
In response to the unfortunate crash of flight AI 171, which was headed to Ahmedabad, Air India announced a series of safety protocols and preventive measures. The airline revealed plans to reduce its international operations involving wide-body aircraft by 15%. In a statement on X, Air India noted, “To stabilize our operations, enhance efficiency, and minimize passenger inconvenience, we have decided to cut back on our international services for the upcoming weeks.”
The reductions will be implemented from June 18 to 20 and are expected to continue until mid-July 2025. This decision aims to manage any unforeseen disruptions and lessen the impact on travelers.
Regarding the investigation into the AI 171 crash, Air India stated, “Authorities are diligently working to determine the cause of the accident. The DGCA has mandated an ‘Enhanced Safety Inspection’ for our Boeing 787-8/9 fleet. Inspections have been completed on 26 out of 33 aircraft, which have been cleared for service, while the remaining inspections will be finalized shortly.”
The airline's official statement added, “The clearance of 26 aircraft reinforces our commitment to safety protocols. As an additional precaution, we will also conduct enhanced safety checks on our Boeing 777 fleet. We will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities, including AAIB, DGCA, and MoCA, to prioritize the safety of our passengers, crew, and aircraft.”
Air India expressed its condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and pledged support for them during their time of need, including assistance at hospitals and with the repatriation of the deceased.
Regarding the temporary reduction in routes, the airline reported disruptions in international operations over the past six days, resulting in 83 cancellations. Affected passengers have the option to reschedule their flights at no extra cost or receive a full refund. The updated schedule for international services, effective from June 20, will be announced soon.