Following the tragic Air India crash on June 12, which claimed 260 lives, key stakeholders are engaged in intensive discussions to reinforce safety measures and restore public confidence in the airline. The Tata Group and the Ministry of Aviation are working together to address critical issues and implement corrective actions.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, met with Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha to discuss the situation and the steps being taken to improve safety. These meetings followed three days of detailed discussions between Air India management, headed by CEO Campbell Wilson, and government officials, resulting in specific suggestions for improvement. The primary focus areas include airworthiness, engineering, and maintenance. A lack of spare parts has been identified as a recurring issue, which often forces aircraft to operate under the "minimum equipment list" (MEL) for extended periods. While MEL allows flights with some inoperative equipment if safety isn't compromised and repairs are scheduled, prolonged reliance on it raises concerns.
The Indian Parliament is also taking the matter seriously. A panel of lawmakers is conducting a comprehensive review of safety protocols within the civil aviation sector. Scheduled for July 9, the meeting involves airport operators, air traffic controllers, and airlines, including Air India and IndiGo. The lawmakers plan to discuss the Air India crash and ensure airlines remain vigilant about safety issues.
The Air India crash involved a Boeing 787-8 jet that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the accident, which is considered the world's worst aviation accident in a decade. Data from the flight recorder has been accessed by a team led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy has cautioned against premature and speculative media reports regarding the crash. Her statement followed the release of a preliminary investigation by the AAIB, which noted confusion in the cockpit and raised questions about the engine fuel cutoff switches. Ms. Homendy emphasized that investigations of this magnitude require time and that the NTSB is supporting the AAIB's ongoing probe. The AAIB has also appealed to the public and media to avoid "selective and unverified reporting" and cautioned against creating "public anxiety or angst towards the safety of the Indian Aviation Industry" based on unfounded facts. The Bureau reiterated that its investigation aims to determine what happened and that it is too early to draw any definite conclusions. The final report, including the identification of root causes and recommendations, will be published upon completion of the investigation.
In the wake of the crash and the ongoing investigations, Air India has faced increased scrutiny from India's aviation watchdog. The airline has received warnings for compliance lapses, including "repeated and serious violations" related to pilot duty scheduling and breaches of safety rules involving overdue checks on escape slides. These regulatory actions highlight the need for Air India to reinforce its safety protocols and address systemic issues.
