In the wake of recent disruptions and growing passenger concerns, Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson has reached out directly to members of the airline's elite Maharaja Club, addressing the situation around Flight AI171 and broader operational changes through a letter.
Wilson reiterated that the airline's top priority was passenger safety. Referring specifically to AI171, he stated that the aircraft was "well-maintained," with engines that "showed no issues before the flight." The Boeing 787 had its last major check in June 2023, and its next was scheduled for December 2025. The right engine was overhauled as recently as March 2025, and the left inspected in April. Both aircraft and engines had been under regular monitoring, the CEO said.
The flight was helmed by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a pilot and trainer with over 10,000 hours of flying experience, alongside First Officer Clive Kunder, who had clocked over 3,400 hours. "These are the facts as we know them today," the CEO noted, while adding that Air India, along with the wider aviation community, awaits the official investigation report.
The CEO said this in an e-letter sent out to Maharaja Club members.
Following the incident and directives issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on June 14, Air India initiated a fleet-wide safety inspection. Of its 33 Boeing 787s, 26 have already been cleared. The remaining aircraft, currently in scheduled maintenance, will undergo the same enhanced checks before returning to service. The DGCA has confirmed that both the airline's 787 fleet and its maintenance processes fully meet safety standards.
However, the ripple effects of these rigorous inspections, combined with airspace closures in Iran and the Middle East, night-time curfews at certain international airports, and routine technical issues, have taken a toll on operations. The result is an unusually high number of long-haul flight cancellations over the past few days, said Wilson.
In response, Air India has decided to continue these intensified safety checks, not just on the 787s, but also on its Boeing 777 fleet. To manage the operational pressure, the airline will reduce its international widebody flights by around 15% from June 20 through mid-July. The move is intended to build more backup aircraft capacity and avoid last-minute disruptions.
Acknowledging the impact on flyers, Wilson assured members that affected passengers would be offered rebooking at no extra cost or a full refund. "We know these disruptions have been frustrating, and we're truly sorry," he said, adding that a revised international schedule would be released in the coming days.
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