Air India Takes Urgent Safety Measures Following Tragic Crash of Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Air India Implements Safety Inspections
New Delhi: Air India announced on Saturday that it is actively conducting mandatory safety inspections for its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, as required by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
This initiative follows the unfortunate crash of an Air India flight (AI 171) that was en route to London from Ahmedabad.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the airline confirmed that nine of its Boeing 787 aircraft have already completed the necessary safety evaluations.
"Air India is in the process of fulfilling the one-time safety checks mandated by the Indian aviation authority, DGCA. These inspections are being performed on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, prior to being cleared for subsequent operations," the airline stated.
"We have successfully completed checks on nine of the Boeing 787 aircraft and are on schedule to finish this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the timeline set by the regulator," it further noted.
The airline emphasized that these inspections are crucial and must be finalized before the aircraft can be approved for their next flights.
However, the airline cautioned that these additional checks might result in longer turnaround times, potentially causing delays, particularly on long-haul international flights that are subject to strict airport curfews.
Passengers are encouraged to verify their flight status before heading to the airport. The airline is providing refunds or complimentary rescheduling options for customers impacted by delays or cancellations due to these safety inspections.
Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, the DGCA mandated enhanced inspections for Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines.
The directive encompasses a variety of preventive maintenance measures, including inspections of fuel systems, cabin air compressors, hydraulic systems, and flight control systems, along with engine-related evaluations.
These checks are required to commence from June 15, with compliance reports to be submitted to the DGCA. Investigations into the crash's cause are still ongoing.
In a show of support for the victims' families, Tata Sons has pledged Rs 1 crore in compensation for each individual who lost their life in the crash, including passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
A spokesperson for Tata Sons also mentioned that the group will cover all medical expenses for those injured in the incident, ensuring they receive necessary care and long-term support.