The Safety Measures of Indian Airlines Explored
In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, 2025, which claimed 275 lives, the spotlight has fallen on India's rapidly expanding airline industry and the safety concerns it faces. The incident has raised questions about various aspects, including design flaws, fuel contamination, and potential sabotage related to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft[1][3].
India's aviation sector is currently setting a global trend, with 1,030 commercial aircraft in operation and last year recording 220 million passengers. However, this growth comes with its own set of challenges[2].
Key safety and operational concerns include:
1. **Engine reliability issues**: Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan (GTF) engines have been plagued with problems, such as powder metal contamination. This has led to a high number of grounded aircraft across Indian carriers, significantly impacting capacity[2].
2. **Strained infrastructure and maintenance**: Instances like the Delhi Airport Terminal 1 roof collapse in June 2024, causing casualties, highlight lapses in construction quality and regulatory oversight. This is concerning given India’s ambitious airport expansion plans, aiming to build 21 new airports[2].
3. **Pilot fatigue and operational discipline**: Historical crashes, such as the 2010 Air India Express Flight 812, have revealed pilot fatigue and inadequate crew monitoring as critical risks, indicating persistent human factors challenges in airline safety culture[2].
4. **Financial pressures on airlines**: The grounding of aircraft and costly wet-leasing of older planes to maintain schedules strain airline finances. This economic stress can lead to cost-cutting that potentially compromises safety investments[2].
5. **Regulatory and manufacturer accountability**: The investigation of the Dreamliner crash is focusing on whether the cause is maintenance-related, manufacturing defects, or external sabotage. Boeing faces possible multi-billion-dollar liabilities, which could influence the future supply of aircraft and safety standards enforcement in India’s market[1].
IndiGo, the largest budget airline in India with 439 aircraft, has ordered an additional 918 Airbus aircraft, further expanding the industry[2]. However, reports suggest that employee training may struggle to keep pace with the rapid growth in the industry, and discrepancies have been found during inspections of local airlines at major airports[2].
Despite these challenges, the Indian government remains committed to its airport development plans, aiming to build 21 new airports. The ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable development in Indian aviation and restore public trust by enhancing safety oversight[1][2][3].
[1] The Economic Times. (2025). Air India crash: Possible sabotage, fuel contamination, design flaws investigated. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/airlines/air-india-crash-possible-sabotage-fuel-contamination-design-flaws-investigated/articleshow/92763918.cms
[2] The Hindu. (2025). India's aviation sector grapples with safety challenges amid rapid growth. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/business/Indias-aviation-sector-grapples-with-safety-challenges-amid-rapid-growth/article31115789.ece
[3] CNN. (2025). Air India crash: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/13/asia/air-india-crash-intl/index.html
- The financial sector is under pressure due to the costly maintenance of aviation, with the frequent grounding of aircraft and the need for wet-leasing of older planes in India's aviation industry.
- The substantial growth in the transportation sector, specifically the aviation industry in India, has led to strained infrastructure and maintenance issues, as highlighted by instances like the Delhi Airport Terminal 1 roof collapse.
