In the wake of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, Turkish authorities have firmly denied claims that a Turkish firm was involved in the maintenance of the aircraft. The crash, involving a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, resulted in a devastating loss of life, with over 279 fatalities, including passengers and people on the ground.
Following the crash, allegations surfaced online suggesting that Turkish Technic, a prominent aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service provider, had been responsible for maintaining the ill-fated aircraft. These claims quickly gained traction on social media, prompting swift action from Turkish officials to dispel what they have called misinformation.
According to official statements released by the Türkiye Directorate of Communications Center, the claim that Turkish Technic carried out maintenance work on the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is "not true" and constitutes "disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding Türkiye-India relations." Turkish authorities clarified that the existing agreements between Turkish Technic and Air India, established in 2024 and 2025, exclusively cover the maintenance of Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft. The Dreamliner involved in the accident was not covered under these agreements.
Anadolu’s Fact-Check Line also investigated the claims, confirming that the aircraft involved in the crash was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, while the aircraft shown in photos online in front of Turkish Technic hangars was identified as a Boeing 777. According to an April 9, 2025, Instagram post by Turkish Technic, its agreement with Air India covers full base maintenance operations specifically for its Boeing 777 fleet.
The denial from Turkey comes amidst heightened scrutiny over aviation safety and maintenance protocols in India, further fueled by comments made by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who alleged a possible "foreign conspiracy" and pointed to the involvement of a Turkish maintenance agency. Ramdev's statements, made without providing concrete evidence, have added to the existing tensions.
The controversy also follows a recent decision by Adani Airport Holdings to terminate ground handling concession agreements with Turkish firm Celebi at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports, citing national security concerns. Furthermore, earlier in June 2025, Air India announced plans to scale back the number of wide-body aircraft sent to Turkish Technic for heavy maintenance, a decision influenced by geopolitical developments involving Turkey's perceived support for Pakistan.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has stated that the airline is sensitive to national sentiment and will recalibrate its maintenance strategy accordingly. While emphasizing the global nature of aviation supply chains, Wilson acknowledged the airline's responsiveness to geopolitical shifts and public sentiment. He noted that Air India would temporarily redirect aircraft requiring MRO services to facilities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the US, while still utilizing Turkish Technic on a limited basis until domestic capacity is developed.
The focus now shifts towards the ongoing investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash, with authorities working to determine the cause of the accident. The flight's black box has been recovered, which is crucial for investigating possible causes like engine failure or pilot error.
