Air India Suspends Multiple International Flights Following Boeing Dreamliner Concerns

Overview of Recent Cancellations

Air India has recently cancelled six international flights, all operated by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, amidst rising scrutiny of the aircraft's safety following a tragic crash last week in Ahmedabad. The cancelled flights included:

• 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, a technical issue with a Dreamliner on the AI 315 route to Delhi led to the pilot returning to Hong Kong. Another incident saw an Air India flight from San Francisco to Mumbai suffering a snag during its stop in Kolkata, resulting in all passengers being deboarded.

Technical Issues and the Context of Safety Concerns

In its announcement, Air India cited an issue during pre-flight checks for the cancellation of AI 143 to Paris, emphasizing that the repairs would result in constraints related to night-time operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The company also cited unavailability of aircraft as a reason for the Ahmedabad-London service cancellation. It is noteworthy that no specific technical issue was reported with the Dreamliner scheduled for this route.

The situation comes in the wake of a heart-wrenching incident on June 12, when Air India's AI 171, also a service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff. The disaster resulted in 241 fatalities out of 242 individuals on board, marking it as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India. Disturbing footage revealed the aircraft struggling for altitude before it crashed devastatingly close to a college hostel, igniting a deadly fireball.

Regulatory Response and Maintenance Checks

As investigations continue into the AI 171 crash, which included the recovery of key flight recorders, experts anticipate a lengthy analysis period as they aim to discern the causes behind the failure. Preliminary findings indicate the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), which occurs in severe dual-engine or system-wide failures, further compounding concerns surrounding the Boeing Dreamliner fleet.

In response to rising concerns, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has mandated comprehensive maintenance checks on Boeing 787-8 and -9 variants outfitted with GEnx engines, focusing on operational parameters and other safety measures.

Conclusion

Boeing's flagship aircraft, the Dreamliner, is under intense scrutiny as Air India navigates a complex aftermath of safety assessments and operational disruptions. As the airline grapples with the fallout from the recent tragedy, the ongoing investigations will likely shape future policies surrounding the operation and maintenance of these aircraft.