Actions aligned with highest standards of safety, care: A-I CEO assures flyers
In a communication to the members of Air India's loyalty programme Maharaja Club, Wilson said that Air India is ensuring that all its actions are aligned with the 'highest standards of safety and care'.
'I acknowledge that there have been some operational challenges over the last few weeks that may have impacted your travel experience. Rest assured, we take this seriously and we are committed to strengthening our internal processes to minimise the inconvenience that such circumstances cause to you. Alongside, our broader efforts to modernise operations continue in full swing, including our retrofit programme which will significantly elevate your 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, through rigorous processes, advanced technology, and a deeply embedded culture of safety and care,' Wilson said.
He said that the carrier's regular safety protocols are 'rigorous and multi-layered', with every aircraft undergoing 'thorough' pre-departure checks by trained engineers and pilots. 'Maintenance is conducted at certified facilities before and between flights. Our pilots, cabin crew, and engineers train regularly at the Air India Training Academy, ensuring full alignment with the latest safety procedures and global best practices and our Integrated Operations Control Centre tracks every flight in real time, monitoring weather, crew, and aircraft performance,' Wilson said.
Wilson's comments come close on the heels of a few highly publicised aircraft snags over the past few weeks, drawing public attention in the wake of the Ahmedabad crash. Over the past few weeks, AI has been subject to a few regulatory actions by DGCA.
Wilson told AI's frequent flyers that the 'safety pause', which the airline had adopted after the crash, continues to be in place. This involves additional voluntary technical checks on aircraft and adopting a cautious approach in flight operations, and along with a few other factors, led to a temporary reduction in the carrier's wide-body international schedule.
'The voluntary 'Safety Pause' I had communicated in my last email on 19 June, 2025 continues, entailing a temporary reduction in our schedule to accommodate additional pre-flight checks and mitigate the impact of regional airspace closures. We also took the opportunity of additional ground time to accelerate upgrades to improve aircraft reliability and to strengthen how we manage delays and disruptions,' Wilson said.
Listing some of the other inspections and checks conducted by the airline, Wilson said that AI's entire fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft — the type involved in the crash — was inspected under the oversight of the DGCA, and did not reveal any issue. As with some other international airlines, Air India and its arm Air India Express also inspected the fuel control switch mechanism of Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft, which also did not reveal any adverse findings. 'All our processes are backed by a comprehensive Safety Management System aligned with global aviation standards and fully compliant with DGCA and the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines…' Wilson said.
Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
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