Air India has announced that certain long-haul flights may experience delays in the upcoming days as the airline conducts a series of safety inspections on its Boeing 787 aircraft, in line with directives from India’s aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The airline mentioned that these inspections might extend aircraft turnaround times, potentially leading to delays especially on routes to airports with curfews. “These checks are being performed on the Boeing 787 fleet as they arrive back in India, prior to being approved for subsequent operations,” stated an Air India representative.
As of Saturday, safety inspections had been finalized for nine of the airline’s 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. The inspections for the remaining planes are anticipated to be completed within the DGCA’s designated timeframe. Passengers affected will be provided with full refunds or the option to reschedule at no cost, the airline indicated.
This intensified inspection protocol follows the unfortunate crash of Air India flight AI171 near Ahmedabad airport. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that the government has approached the incident “with the utmost seriousness,” confirming that the DGCA has mandated increased oversight of all Boeing 787 aircraft currently operating in India.
“As directed by the DGCA, we are conducting thorough checks across the entire 787 fleet. Eight aircraft have already undergone inspections, and the remaining ones will be assessed promptly,” the minister said earlier today.
Also read: Ahmedabad plane crash live updates: No issues reported in AI171, Boeing team to join probe, say sources
Officials are optimistic that analyzing the retrieved black box will provide insights into the cause of the crash.
Starting June 15, all 787s departing from India will be required to undergo a one-time safety inspection before departure. The updated protocols involve checks on cabin air compression systems, hydraulics, flight control systems, and performance metrics. Airlines are also obligated to conduct transit checks and engine power assurance testing within two weeks and address any recurring technical issues identified in the previous fortnight.
The new regulations come amidst increasing global scrutiny regarding Boeing’s safety practices, following a series of accidents and manufacturing issues in recent years.
