Air India to fully resume International flights by Oct 1

Air India has announced that its international flight operations will be fully restored by October 1. The airline began a phased resumption of services from August 1, following a voluntary “Safety Pause” introduced in June after the AI171 incident.

In a message to Maharaja Club members, CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline had completed thorough inspections across its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet. These checks were carried out under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with no issues found. Additional examinations of the fuel control switch mechanisms in Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft also yielded satisfactory results.

“We continue to work closely with regulators, maintaining full transparency and ensuring that every action we take aligns with the highest standards of safety and care,” Wilson said.

The “Safety Pause,” announced on June 19, involved a temporary reduction in flight schedules. This was done to enable detailed pre-flight inspections and address disruptions caused by regional airspace restrictions. The downtime was also used to fast-track aircraft reliability upgrades and improve delay management systems.

All Air India aircraft undergo multiple layers of safety checks before departure. The airline’s Integrated Operations Control Centre monitors every flight in real time. Crew members and engineering staff receive regular training at the Air India Training Academy, which follows the latest global safety procedures.

Wilson explained that Air India operates under a Safety Management System that meets both DGCA and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The airline is subject to annual DGCA audits and a biannual IATA Operational Safety Audit conducted by independent experts. He added that the DGCA recently termed Air India’s audit findings as “entirely normal” for an airline of its scale.

Since its privatisation, Air India has appointed international aviation consultancy Oliver Wyman/CAVOK to carry out a comprehensive safety review. It has also partnered with Boeing for an Operational Efficacy Programme aimed at modernising its internal systems.

Wilson acknowledged recent operational issues and assured passengers that corrective steps were being taken. He said the airline’s ongoing fleet retrofit programme is progressing as scheduled to enhance the overall in-flight experience.

“So, whenever you choose to fly with Air India, know that your trust is valued and your journey safeguarded by our entire Air India family,” Wilson said.