Pilot’s Union Demands Grounding of Boeing 787s After Fresh Air India Scares

New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised a red flag over the safety of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, demanding that all such aircraft operating in India be grounded after two Air India jets suffered major technical malfunctions within a week.

The pilots’ body accused the national carrier of “compromising safety through poor maintenance practices,” even as Air India dismissed the charges, saying all safety protocols were strictly followed.

Two Mid-Air Malfunctions in a Week

According to the FIP, the latest scare occurred on October 9, when Flight AI-154 from Vienna to Delhi had to be diverted to Dubai after multiple system failures — including a malfunctioning autopilot, flight control issues, and an uncommanded deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a critical emergency system.

Just days earlier, on October 4, Flight AI-117 from Delhi to Birmingham also experienced an unexpected RAT deployment during its final approach.

Calling these back-to-back incidents “a serious warning of declining serviceability,” the FIP urged immediate action before another potential disaster.

Union Flags Maintenance Lapses

In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, the pilots’ union blamed Air India’s management overhaul for deteriorating safety standards. It alleged that the airline’s decision to replace seasoned engineers from Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) with newly hired staff has led to frequent mechanical problems.

“The safety of Indian skies cannot be compromised. These recurring malfunctions in Boeing 787s demand urgent scrutiny,” the FIP said, calling for a nationwide safety audit.

Air India Rejects Allegations

Air India countered the claims, saying the Vienna–Delhi diversion was “a precautionary measure handled by the book,” and that the aircraft resumed its journey safely after technical checks.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our top priority,” an airline spokesperson said. Air India added that the RAT deployment during the Delhi–Birmingham flight “had no impact on critical systems” and was consistent with similar reports from other Boeing 787 operators worldwide.

The airline confirmed that both cases were reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and that the aircraft were cleared for continued operations.

Old Tragedy Rekindles Safety Concerns

The FIP’s warning has revived painful memories of the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 from Ahmedabad to London that claimed 260 lives shortly after takeoff. The union claimed earlier warnings about the Dreamliner’s systems went unheeded following that accident.

Reiterating its demand, the FIP has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA to carry out an independent audit of all Boeing 787s flying in India before allowing further operations.