Air India has warned of potential delays on select long-haul flights as it begins mandatory safety checks on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, following directives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The inspections come in the wake of the recent Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the deaths of at least 265 people. The incident marked the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft entered commercial service in 2011.
The airline confirmed that the one-time comprehensive safety checks, as ordered by the aviation regulator, are now underway and are being conducted as each Dreamliner aircraft returns to India. Only after successful completion of these checks will the aircraft be cleared for further operations.
“These checks are likely to increase aircraft turnaround time and may lead to delays, especially on long-haul routes to airports that have strict operating curfews,” Air India said in a statement. The airline assured passengers that they will be promptly informed about any changes in flight schedules and advised travelers to check flight status before arriving at the airport.
As of now, Air India has completed safety inspections on nine of its Boeing 787 aircraft and stated it is on track to finish the process for the remaining 24 within the timeframe specified by the DGCA.
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The DGCA’s directive covers all Boeing 787 aircraft powered by General Electric’s GenX engines. The list of mandatory inspections includes:
- Fuel parameter monitoring and system verification
- Cabin air compressor system checks
- Electronic engine control system testing
- Operational testing of the engine fuel-driven actuator and oil system examination
- Hydraulic system serviceability checks
- Review and validation of take-off performance parameters
Additionally, power assurance checks are scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks, and a new Flight Control Inspection procedure is being introduced. The regulator issued these orders after observing “repetitive snags” reported on Boeing Dreamliner aircraft in the past 15 days, emphasising that all related maintenance actions must be completed and thoroughly reviewed before further deployment.
To reduce inconvenience to affected passengers, Air India is offering full refunds for cancellations and free rescheduling options. The DGCA will evaluate the final inspection reports submitted by the airline to determine the overall airworthiness of the Dreamliner fleet.
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