Air India CEO, Wilson, assures steadfast devotion to safety and details the actions taken post the AI171 crash to Maharaja Club members.
Following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in June, the airline has been under heightened scrutiny and concern. In response, Air India's CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, has taken decisive action to reinforce the airline's operations and restore confidence among passengers.
Wilson has implemented several safety measures, including conducting detailed inspections of Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, with a particular focus on the fuel control switch mechanisms, under the oversight of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). These inspections, which have been carried out with no issues found, are part of a broader commitment to working closely with regulators, maintaining full transparency, and ensuring all actions align with the highest global safety standards.
Regular thorough checks of every aircraft before take-off, conducted by trained engineers and pilots, are another key safety measure. Air India also ensures maintenance at certified facilities before and between flights, and ongoing training for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers at the Air India Training Academy.
In addition, Air India participates in annual DGCA audits and bi-annual IATA Operational Safety Audits, confirming continuous improvement in safety management. Wilson acknowledged operational challenges post-crash but emphasized the airline's commitment to strengthening internal processes to minimize inconveniences while continuing modernization efforts, including a retrofit program to elevate the in-flight experience.
The safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft is an unwavering commitment for Air India. Wilson described safety as the "foundation of every decision" the airline makes, and the airline is taking a measured approach to resuming international operations, ensuring every verification is thoroughly completed before full resumption, targeted for October 1, 2025.
In a letter to members of the Maharaja Club, Wilson reassured them that their safety is of utmost importance to Air India. The airline is also implementing a voluntary "Safety Pause," which includes a temporary reduction in its schedule to accommodate additional pre-flight checks and mitigate the impact of regional airspace closures.
Air India's Integrated Operations Control Centre tracks every flight in real time, and the airline's regular safety protocols are rigorous and multi-layered. The crash of AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, on June 12, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives, has underscored the importance of these measures.
Air India continues to work closely with regulators, maintaining full transparency and ensuring that every action aligns with the highest standards of safety and care. The airline is using the additional ground time to accelerate upgrades to improve aircraft reliability and to strengthen how they manage delays and disruptions.
The airline's broader efforts to modernize operations continue, including their retrofit program which will elevate in-flight experiences. Air India's maintenance is conducted at certified facilities before and between flights, and the airline has ensured detailed inspections of their fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, with no issues found during these inspections.
Air India's Safety Management System is aligned with global aviation standards and compliant with DGCA and ICAO guidelines. The airline's pilots, cabin crew, and engineers train regularly at the Air India Training Academy, and the airline is committed to strengthening internal processes to minimize inconvenience caused by such circumstances.
The crash occurred in the densely populated Meghani Nagar locality of Ahmedabad. Air India plans to restore international operations from August 1, 2025, with a full resumption targeted for October 1, 2025. The airline values passenger trust highly and safeguards journeys through rigorous processes, advanced technology, and a deeply embedded culture of safety and care.
- Following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, the airline's CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, has taken action to reinforce operations and restore passenger confidence, focusing on safety measures and transparency.
- Air India has implemented stringent safety measures, such as detailed inspections of their Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, regular thorough checks before take-off, and maintenance at certified facilities.
- The airline is committed to continuous improvement in safety management, participating in regular DGCA audits and IATA Operational Safety Audits.
- Air India's Safety Management System aligns with global aviation standards and is compliant with DGCA and ICAO guidelines, with ongoing training for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers.
- Air India places a high value on passenger trust and safeguards journeys through rigorous processes, advanced technology, and a deeply embedded culture of safety and care, targeting a full resumption of international operations in October 2025.
