Air India Faces Turmoil After Fatal AI171 Crash

Air India is grappling with a series of operational challenges following the deadly crash of flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which resulted in 241 passenger fatalities and casualties on the ground. In the aftermath, several Air India flights, including Delhi-Paris AI143 and Ahmedabad-London AI159, have been cancelled due to technical issues, precautionary checks, and airspace restrictions. The disruptions have caused significant inconvenience for passengers, prompting the airline to offer hotel accommodations, refunds, or rescheduling. Separately, an Air India San Francisco-Mumbai flight was grounded in Kolkata due to an engine problem, and several Boeing 787 Dreamliners operated by Air India, British Airways, and Lufthansa returned to their origin airports within 36 hours due to technical issues or threats. These events have heightened concerns about Air India's fleet reliability and the effectiveness of Indian aviation regulatory oversight, particularly as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation faces staffing shortages. The situation has intensified global scrutiny of Boeing 787 safety protocols and operational standards at Air India.