Airlines under intensive safety inspection following mid-air terminations: Air India under the microscope
In the wake of a heart-wrenching plane crash involving Air India, the airline finds itself back in the limelight - this time grappling with a series of technical glitches that have resulted in numerous mid-air returns and unnerving delays.
Following the catastrophic crash of flight AI-171 on June 12, which claimed the lives of over 260 souls, including passengers and those at a medical college's residential building, the incident sent shockwaves throughout the aviation industry. Concerns surrounding fleet maintenance and emergency response preparedness were raised as a result.
Air India has since faced a barrage of technical issues, causing chaos in their operations. On June 15, for instance, flight AI819, bound for Vadodara from Delhi, was abruptly forced to return to Indira Gandhi International Airport just half an hour after departure. The Airbus A321 (VT-PPI) had taken off at 6:51 pm, but soon after, pilots reported a problem with the retracting landing gear. Adhering to procedure, the crew alerted the Delhi Air Traffic Control and made a precautionary landing at 7:20 pm. The aircraft was deemed safe and cleared for flights later that night following comprehensive checks.
On the following day, a Delhi-bound Air India flight from Hong Kong was compelled to turn back shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical malfunction. The flight landed safely back in Hong Kong, and the aircraft was promptly sent for inspection. Passengers disembarked the plane unscathed.
To add to the list of annoyances, Air India Express flight IX-1226 from Guwahati to Kolkata faced delays due to a recurring technical glitch. Scheduled for departure on June 14 at 9:20 pm, the flight was delayed for hours past midnight, and passengers were deboarded twice before they finally departed on June 15 in the afternoon, according to reports.
The disruptions in Air India's operations stem primarily from intensified safety inspections, operational disruptions, geopolitical airspace restrictions, and reduced international services resulting from the deadly crash of Air India flight AI171. To ensure safety, Air India has undertaken extended pre-flight checks on its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, affecting 33 Dreamliners as of June 20. These checks, which exceed normal regulatory requirements, have significantly slowed down aircraft turnaround times, resulting in mid-air returns and prolonged delays. (Sources: 1, 3, and 4)
The aviation industry is under intense scrutiny, particularly Air India, due to the recurring technical glitches that have led to numerous mid-air returns and delays. In the finance sector, Air India's operational disruptions have resulted in significant financial losses and customer dissatisfaction.
