Is Air India Completing One-Time Boeing 787 Safety Checks?

Synopsis
Air India is diligently working to complete the mandated safety inspections for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet in response to recent tragic events. With nine aircraft already inspected, the airline is committed to passenger safety and timely operations while navigating potential delays.
Key Takeaways
- Air India is finalizing mandated safety inspections for its Boeing 787 fleet.
- Nine aircraft have already completed the required checks.
- The inspections are mandated by the DGCA following a recent crash.
- Passengers may experience delays due to extended turnaround times.
- Compensation is being offered to victims' families by Tata Sons.
New Delhi, June 14 (NationPress) - Air India announced on Saturday that it is actively finalizing the mandated one-time safety inspections for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, as stipulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
This decision follows the unfortunate accident involving an Air India flight (AI 171) heading to London from Ahmedabad.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Air India confirmed that nine of its Boeing 787 aircraft have successfully completed the necessary safety inspections.
“Air India is in the midst of fulfilling the one-time safety checks as required by the Indian aviation authority, DGCA. These inspections are being conducted as the Boeing 787 fleet returns to India, prior to being approved for subsequent operations,” the airline stated.
“The airline has completed inspections on nine of its Boeing 787 aircraft and is on schedule to finalize this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the timeframe set by the regulator,” it further added.
Air India emphasized that inspections are taking place as the aircraft arrive back in India and must be concluded before the planes are authorized for their next flights.
However, the airline also noted that these additional checks could result in extended turnaround times, potentially causing delays, particularly for long-haul international flights that operate under stringent airport curfews.
Passengers are encouraged to verify their flight status before heading to the airport. The airline is providing refunds or complimentary rescheduling for customers affected by delays or cancellations resulting from these safety inspections.
The DGCA had mandated enhanced inspections for Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft fitted with Genx engines following the tragic crash in Ahmedabad last Thursday.
The directive encompasses a series of preventive maintenance protocols, including inspections of fuel systems, cabin air compressors, hydraulic systems, and flight control systems, along with engine-related evaluations.
These checks are scheduled to commence from June 15, with compliance reports to be submitted to the DGCA. Investigations into the cause of the crash are still underway.
Meanwhile, in a display of support for the victims' families, Tata Sons has reaffirmed that it will provide ₹1 crore in compensation to each family that lost a loved one in the crash, which includes passengers, crew members, and individuals on the ground.
A spokesperson from Tata Sons mentioned that the group will also cover the complete medical costs for all those injured in the incident, ensuring necessary medical care and long-term support.