In response to the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 on June 12, the airline has suspended six international flights that were being operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. This decision comes as safety concerns grow and scrutiny over the Dreamliner fleet increases.
Six International Flights Cancelled
Air India cancelled the following flights on June 17:
- AI 915 (Delhi–Dubai)
- AI 153 (Delhi–Vienna)
- AI 143 (Delhi–Paris)
- AI 159 (Ahmedabad–London)
- AI 133 (Bengaluru–London)
- AI 170 (London–Amritsar)
Additionally, AI 315 to Delhi was forced to return to Hong Kong due to a technical issue. Another Dreamliner, on the San Francisco–Mumbai route, experienced a snag in Kolkata, leading to all passengers being deboarded.
Dreamliner Trouble Not Limited to Air India
On the same day, Lufthansa and British Airways also reported mid-air returns of their Dreamliners en route to Hyderabad and Chennai. While Air India confirmed no technical issue with the Dreamliner scheduled for the Ahmedabad–London route, they cited airspace restrictions and precautionary checks for the cancellation.
Paris Flight Hit By Night Operation Restrictions
The airline clarified that AI 143 from Delhi to Paris was cancelled after pre-flight checks flagged an issue. The delay in resolving the problem would have violated night-time flying restrictions at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.
The Aftermath of AI 171 Crash
The cancellations and return flights follow the tragic crash of AI 171, which exploded after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of 242 passengers. The lone survivor, a British-Indian national, was seated near the wing. At least 33 lives were lost on the ground as well.
Preliminary crash analysis suggests a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was deployed, indicating a major mechanical or electrical failure. Black box data is currently being examined, but the full cause may take months to uncover.
DGCA Orders Safety Checks
In response, India’s aviation regulator DGCA has ordered comprehensive maintenance checks on Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft with GEnx engines, including tests on take-off parameters and fuel systems.
With 33 Dreamliners in its fleet, Air India now faces intense regulatory and public scrutiny—especially as safety remains paramount for global aviation confidence.
Source; NDTV
