In light of this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instituted precautionary inspections across the airline’s Dreamliner fleet, leading to operational challenges on both domestic and international routes.
“There is a cascading impact operationally. We are adopting additional caution and performing extra checks beyond the norm,” a company executive confided to PTI, requesting anonymity.
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As reported by the DGCA, Air India has canceled a total of 83 wide-body flights since the incident, with 66 of those being Dreamliners. On Tuesday, the airline announced additional cancellations, including flights from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and Delhi to Paris. The latter was grounded due to an unidentified issue flagged during a mandatory pre-flight check.
The DGCA noted on Tuesday that inspections of the Dreamliner fleet have not revealed any “major safety concerns” thus far. Of the 33 aircraft in the fleet, 24 have completed the required inspections, while four are undergoing long-term maintenance. The remaining aircraft are anticipated to complete their checks soon.
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“The aircraft and its related maintenance systems were found compliant with current safety standards,” stated the DGCA. However, the regulator highlighted maintenance issues and instructed Air India to “strictly follow regulations.” It also recommended improved coordination among engineering, operations, and ground handling teams and emphasized the importance of having spare parts readily available to prevent further disruptions.
Restrictions on airspace in some Middle Eastern countries, enacted as a precaution, have further contributed to delays. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the support of British and American aviation authorities and Boeing representatives, is currently conducting an investigation into the crash.
Aviation experts remark that this incident occurs during a critical period for Air India, which is in the midst of a significant overhaul aimed at re-establishing itself as a profitable and dependable international carrier.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
