Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Friday assured the public, passengers, and staff that Boeing 787 aircraft operated by the airline are safe to fly. His statement comes after the disastrous AI171 crash that took the lives of 241 individuals, including ex-Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Discussing safety issues, Wilson stated the airline had performed all the extra precautionary checks that India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), had asked for and reiterated Air India’s adherence to strict standards and prudence.
“Have our planes been certified as safe? Yes. We have run the additional precautionary checks on our flying Boeing 787 fleet as asked by the DGCA, who have officially stated that they are up to required standards,” Wilson said.
We have also, as a precaution, voluntarily chosen to maintain further pre-flight checks for now. Where there is any uncertainty, we will not dispatch aircraft of any sort for service.”
AI171 Crash: Nation in Mourning, Airline Offers Full Support
The AI171 flight, which was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed to London, crashed just minutes after leaving the ground on June 12 into the BJ Medical College hostel complex in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar locality. The crash killed 241 of the 242 people on board and had a harrowing effect on families and the aviation community.
Wilson conveyed deep sorrow and stressed that the airline, as well as the Tata Group, will remain by the side of the victims’ families and impacted employees during and after the crisis.
We remain mourning the loss of life in the AI171 tragedy and continue to assist those who have been impacted. Approximately 500 Air India and 17 other Tata group colleagues are still in Ahmedabad to assist the families of crew, passengers, and ground staff,” he stated.
“Reconciliation is underway, in collaboration with the authorities, with families and loved ones, and as of this morning, over 200 have been provided with some measure of comfort and closure.”
He went on to say, “We will be continuing to support those impacted long after Ahmedabad work is completed, for, as our Chairman has indicated, these families are Tata families now.”
Support to Staff and Families to Resume
Wilson also spoke about concerns regarding the perceived absence of Air India representation at memorial ceremonies, making clear that the carrier has high-ranking officials attending each ceremony, without disturbing mourning families.
This is just as much the case for those of our colleagues, whom we will also be helping in the same fashion. You might have seen social media posts expressing concern at the apparent lack of Air India representation at the services held for our colleagues. I can tell you that we have had senior representation at every single one.
He said that the staff who work in Ahmedabad have been given mandatory rest and confidential professional counselling services.
“The professional, confidential counselling services are still available to all of you, and I urge you to take advantage of them,” he further added.
Crash Under Investigation, No Speculation Allowed
Wilson refused to speculate on what might have caused the crash, saying the matter is being dealt with by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
“What occurred? There are numerous theories, but since the accident is now officially under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, it’s not our place to comment or speculate,” he said.
“We are supplying all information being asked of the AAIB and are cooperating fully.”
He added that although ultimate reports can take months, progress reports can be made available if urgent safety modifications are indicated.
Flight Reductions and Future Plans
A result of prolonged pre-flight inspections and additional airspace prohibitions across the Middle East and Pakistan, Wilson assured a temporary drop in Air India’s planned flights.
“Those extra pre-flight checks we’re undertaking minimizes the amount of hours aircraft are available to fly, which — also taking into account the additional flight time from new Middle Eastern airspace closures, above the Pakistan closure — is why we’ve decided to take flying down over the next few weeks,” he said.
“We will gradually rebuild when the time is appropriate.”