No Major Safety Issues Found in Air India Dreamliners, Says DGCA
- DGCA found no major safety concerns during recent checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet; aircraft and maintenance systems met safety standards.
- 24 out of 33 aircraft completed required checks, with the remaining either scheduled or under maintenance.
- Airlines advised to improve internal coordination, passenger communication, and real-time defect reporting to minimize delays and ensure compliance.
In response to recent concerns over maintenance issues flagged by Air India, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has confirmed that its latest surveillance on the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet has not revealed any major safety concerns. The DGCA announced on Tuesday that the aircraft and their associated maintenance systems remain in compliance with current safety standards.
Of the airline’s 33 Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft, 24 have already completed the required maintenance checks as of 3:00 PM on June 17, 2025. Two additional aircraft are expected to complete checks later the same day, and one more is scheduled for inspection the following day. Four aircraft are currently undergoing major checks at various Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) facilities, while two aircraft that are grounded in Delhi will undergo checks after being declared serviceable and before returning to active service.
The DGCA held a high-level review meeting with senior management from Air India and Air India Express, which together operate more than 1,000 flights daily across domestic and international routes. The meeting focused on strengthening the operational robustness of both airlines and ensuring continued adherence to safety and passenger service norms.
The regulator advised the airline to improve internal coordination across engineering, flight operations, and ground handling divisions. It also stressed the need for sufficient spare parts inventory to avoid delays caused by maintenance-related issues.
In addition to maintenance reviews, the DGCA assessed the impact of recent airspace closures over Iran, which have led to flight diversions, delays, and cancellations. Airlines were instructed to maintain clear and timely communication with passengers and crew, and to explore alternative flight routes to minimize service disruptions.
Operators were reminded of their responsibilities under Civil Aviation Requirements to provide timely information about delays and cancellations. The DGCA emphasized enhanced passenger facilitation and recommended implementing a real-time defect reporting mechanism to ensure faster and more informed operational decision-making.
