New Delhi, June 17: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given a clean chit to Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet following a detailed safety inspection, stating that no major safety concerns were found during its recent surveillance.
After receiving reports of maintenance-related issues, the DGCA carried out a comprehensive inspection of Air India’s 33 Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft. As of June 17, 24 aircraft have successfully completed the mandated checks, with two more expected to be cleared by the end of the day. One additional aircraft is scheduled for inspection on June 18.
Four aircraft are currently undergoing major maintenance at various MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities, while two are grounded in Delhi awaiting serviceability declarations. These will be inspected before being cleared for operation, the DGCA confirmed.
The regulator found Air India’s aircraft and associated maintenance systems to be compliant with existing safety regulations. A high-level review meeting was also held with senior officials from Air India and Air India Express, which together operate over 1,000 domestic and international flights daily.
DGCA advised the airlines to improve internal coordination between engineering, operations, and ground handling units. It also emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate spare parts inventory to reduce flight delays and disruptions.
The meeting further addressed the operational impact of recent airspace closures over Iran, which have caused multiple flight diversions and cancellations. Operators were instructed to adopt alternate routes and ensure timely communication with passengers and crew.
The regulator reminded airlines of their obligations under Civil Aviation Requirements to inform passengers promptly about delays and cancellations and to prioritize effective passenger facilitation.
To further improve efficiency, the DGCA recommended a real-time defect reporting system to enhance decision-making and minimize disruptions across operations.
