Dreamliner well-maintained, had no issues ahead of flight: AI CEO

The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was “well-maintained” and had undergone a major check in June 2023, while the next was scheduled for December this year, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said on Thursday.

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In a message to flyers, the Air India chief also said the 15 per cent reduction in Air India’s international wide-body fleet operations for the next few weeks was a temporary move and it might affect its customers’ travel plans.

“The plane was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025 and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and the engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight,” he said.

The airline chief said the loss of 241 passengers and crew members, along with 34 people on the ground, “has left us all in deep sorrow”.

AI to cut 38 International flights a week

Air India will cut 38 international flights a week and suspend services on three overseas routes between June 21 and July 15. The airline said the objective of reducing flights on 18 international routes was restoration of schedule stability and minimisation of last-minute inconvenience to passengers. The announcement comes a day after the carrier said it would temporarily reduce flights operated with wide-body planes by 15 per cent. The AI said, “The reductions will be effective from June 21 and last until at least July 15. Services will be suspended on Delhi-Nairobi, Amritsar-London (Gatwick) and Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick) till July 15.” At present, the Delhi-Nairobi route has four flights per week, Amritsar-London (Gatwick) and Goa (Mopa)-London (Gatwick) routes have three flights a week each. Flights will also be reduced on 18 international routes connecting cities in North America, Europe, Australia and the Far East. North America routes, which will see reduced frequencies are Delhi-Toronto, Delhi-Vancouver, Delhi-San Francisco, Delhi-Chicago and Delhi-Washington. AI attributed these reductions to the decision to voluntarily undertake enhanced pre-flight safety checks, as well as accommodate additional flight durations arising from airspace closures in West Asia. TNS

“Words cannot express the pain we feel for the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event. We are fully committed to doing all we can to support the families impacted and are also working closely with the authorities to understand the cause of this tragedy. Our thoughts are with everyone touched by this loss,” Wilson said in the message.

He said the airline as well as the entire aviation industry was awaiting the official investigation report to understand more.

Wilson said following the June 12 crash and as directed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the airline had been conducting thorough safety inspections on its 33 Boeing 787 aircraft.

So far, inspections have been completed on 26 aircraft and these have been cleared for service, he said, adding that the remaining aircraft were currently in planned maintenance and would undergo additional checks before being released into service.