New Delhi, August 7 – Air India has announced that its international flight operations will be fully restored by October 1, marking a significant milestone after the airline’s self-imposed “Safety Pause” that began in June. The phased return to the skies started on August 1, following intensive inspections and system upgrades to strengthen operational reliability and safety.
The “Safety Pause” was introduced on June 19, following the AI171 incident. It involved a temporary reduction in the airline’s flight schedules to carry out detailed pre-flight inspections and address disruptions caused by regional airspace restrictions. The period was also used to expedite reliability upgrades, improve delay management protocols, and conduct a fleet-wide safety review.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, in a message to Maharaja Club members, confirmed that all checks across the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft were completed under the direct supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with no issues detected. The airline also conducted additional inspections of fuel control switches in its Boeing 737 and 787-8 fleet, which also returned satisfactory results.
“We continue to work closely with regulators, maintaining full transparency and ensuring that every action we take aligns with the highest standards of safety and care,” Wilson stated.
Wilson also underlined that Air India follows a robust Safety Management System in line with DGCA and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The airline undergoes annual audits by the DGCA and biannual IATA Operational Safety Audits (IOSA), which are carried out by independent experts. He further highlighted that the DGCA recently described the airline’s audit findings as “entirely normal” for an airline of its scale.
To further strengthen its safety and operational efficiency, Air India has engaged international aviation consultants Oliver Wyman/CAVOK for a complete safety audit and partnered with Boeing for an Operational Efficacy Programme aimed at modernising internal systems and processes.
All Air India aircraft go through multiple layers of safety inspections before takeoff, while every flight is tracked in real time by the Integrated Operations Control Centre. Flight crews and engineering personnel are regularly trained at the Air India Training Academy, which follows global safety protocols.
Acknowledging recent challenges, Wilson assured passengers that the airline is taking corrective steps and is committed to improving the overall travel experience. He also confirmed that the airline’s fleet retrofit programme is progressing on schedule.
“So, whenever you choose to fly with Air India, know that your trust is valued and your journey safeguarded by our entire Air India family,” Wilson concluded.
