‘No aircraft will fly if in doubt': Air India CEO days after Ahmedabad crash
Air India has voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks on all its wide-body fleet for the time being as a matter of precaution, the airline's chief executive officer and managing director, Campbell Wilson, has said. He underlined that they would not release aircraft of any type for service if there was any doubt.
In an email to the employees days after the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Wilson said the additional pre-flight checks are among the reasons for reduced flights. 'The additional pre-flight checks we are doing reduces the number of hours aircraft are available to operate, which – also considering the extra flight time arising from new airspace closures in the Middle East, on top of the Pakistan closure - is why we have... [decided] to reduce the amount of flying over the coming weeks. We will progressively restore when the time is right.'
The London-bound Air India flight with 242 people aboard began losing altitude seconds after take-off and crashed in a densely populated residential area near Ahmedabad airport. A 40-year-old passenger was the sole survivor while approximately 30 people died on the ground. It was the worst civil aviation disaster in over a decade globally, and in India in over 30 years.
Wilson said the airline has completed the additional precautionary checks on the Boeing 787 fleet, as per the regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s request, and declared that they meet required standards. 'We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft of any type for service,' said the email, a copy of which HT has seen.
He added that the final report can take many months, though the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) may choose to issue interim updates or reports. 'If there is any discovery during the investigation that suggests the airline or suppliers need to change something urgently, we have confidence that such information would be shared quickly. For our part, we will be transparent with what is shared with us.'
Wilson said there are many theories about the crash and underlined that it is inappropriate to comment or speculate as the accident is now under the AAIB investigation. 'We are providing all information requested by the AAIB and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them.'
Wilson underlined the need for learning from the crash so that the airline is stronger in the future. '...our aim in every respect, be it safety, quality, service, scale, reach, professionalism or any other dimension, remains the same if not higher than before.' He said that they continue to mourn for the lives lost in the tragedy and to support those who have been affected.
Wilson added that around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies were in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew, and those killed on the ground. '...progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning, more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure,' he wrote. 'We will continue supporting those affected long after the work in Ahmedabad is done, as our Chairman has said, these families are now Tata families.'
Wilson cited social media commentary on a perceived lack of visibility of Air India at the funeral services for their colleagues and said they have had senior representation at each one. 'We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect.'
Wilson said the airline is supporting the staff who served in Ahmedabad upon their return to base, with a mandatory break and counselling. 'The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone...I encourage you to avail yourself of it.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
22 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Not a single aircraft will fly if it's not 100% safe: Air India CEO promises maximum caution after AI171 crash
In an official communication, Campbell said, "Have our aircraft been deemed safe? Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards." Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Supporting Families and Staff Responding to Employee Concerns Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Questions About Safety and Future No Change in Future Plans After the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed 241 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the airline's CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has spoken out to calm an official message shared on Friday, Wilson confirmed that all Air India aircraft, especially Boeing 787s, are safe to fly. 'We have finished extra precautionary checks on our Boeing 787 fleet, and the DGCA has said publicly that our planes meet all required safety standards,' he said. He added that even with clean checks, Air India will continue to do extra pre-flight inspections as a said Air India, along with the Tata Group , remains deeply committed to helping the families of those who lost their lives, as well as affected staff. 'We continue to mourn the loss of lives and are doing everything to support those affected,' he said. Around 500 workers from Air India and other Tata companies are still in Ahmedabad helping the said more than 200 families have received some comfort and closure as efforts continue to identify victims and offer support. 'These families are now Tata families,' he added, promising continued help long after the immediate CEO also addressed comments on social media suggesting that Air India wasn't visible at memorial services for its staff. 'We had senior representatives at every service,' he clarified. 'We've just been careful not to disturb the families during those important moments.'He also said that staff returning from Ahmedabad are being given time off and offered free counselling. 'These services are private and provided by professionals, and I encourage you to use them,' he also responded to common questions raised by staff. While there are many theories about the cause of the crash, he said the airline will not speculate. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is now in charge of finding the the question of whether a report will be shared, Wilson explained that only the AAIB can decide when and how to share updates. But if urgent safety issues are found, those will be shared quickly, and Air India will stay confirmed that due to extra safety checks and longer flight paths caused by airspace closures in the Middle East and Pakistan, the airline has cut down on some flights for now. 'We'll resume them gradually when the time is right,' he the tragedy, Wilson said Air India's future goals remain strong. 'This event is heartbreaking, and we will learn from it. But our vision for safety, service, and professionalism is unchanged, if anything, it's stronger.'He also confirmed that both shareholders continue to fully support Air investigations continue, Wilson ended his message by encouraging staff to stay focused. 'Let's do our jobs with full professionalism, care for our passengers, and support each other, especially now.'Inputs from ANI
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Not a single aircraft will fly if it's not 100% safe: Air India CEO promises maximum caution after AI171 crash
After the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed 241 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the airline's CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has spoken out to calm fears. In an official message shared on Friday, Wilson confirmed that all Air India aircraft, especially Boeing 787s, are safe to fly. 'We have finished extra precautionary checks on our Boeing 787 fleet, and the DGCA has said publicly that our planes meet all required safety standards,' he said. He added that even with clean checks, Air India will continue to do extra pre-flight inspections as a precaution. Supporting Families and Staff Wilson said Air India, along with the Tata Group , remains deeply committed to helping the families of those who lost their lives, as well as affected staff. 'We continue to mourn the loss of lives and are doing everything to support those affected,' he said. Around 500 workers from Air India and other Tata companies are still in Ahmedabad helping the families. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now He said more than 200 families have received some comfort and closure as efforts continue to identify victims and offer support. 'These families are now Tata families,' he added, promising continued help long after the immediate crisis. Responding to Employee Concerns The CEO also addressed comments on social media suggesting that Air India wasn't visible at memorial services for its staff. 'We had senior representatives at every service,' he clarified. 'We've just been careful not to disturb the families during those important moments.' Live Events He also said that staff returning from Ahmedabad are being given time off and offered free counselling. 'These services are private and provided by professionals, and I encourage you to use them,' he said. Questions About Safety and Future Wilson also responded to common questions raised by staff. While there are many theories about the cause of the crash, he said the airline will not speculate. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is now in charge of finding the facts. On the question of whether a report will be shared, Wilson explained that only the AAIB can decide when and how to share updates. But if urgent safety issues are found, those will be shared quickly, and Air India will stay transparent. Wilson confirmed that due to extra safety checks and longer flight paths caused by airspace closures in the Middle East and Pakistan, the airline has cut down on some flights for now. 'We'll resume them gradually when the time is right,' he said. No Change in Future Plans Despite the tragedy, Wilson said Air India's future goals remain strong. 'This event is heartbreaking, and we will learn from it. But our vision for safety, service, and professionalism is unchanged, if anything, it's stronger.' He also confirmed that both shareholders continue to fully support Air India. As investigations continue, Wilson ended his message by encouraging staff to stay focused. 'Let's do our jobs with full professionalism, care for our passengers, and support each other, especially now.' Inputs from ANI
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Will learn, emerge stronger from plane tragedy: Air India CEO in letter to staff
Mumbai: Air India chief executive officer Campbell Wilson has assured employees that the airline will learn from the tragic plane crash that killed over 240 people on 12 June and emerge stronger. In a letter to employees, Wilson reaffirmed that Singapore Airlines, which owns 25.1% of the company, continues to support the airline. 'This has been a tragic event, and we will learn whatever we can from it so that we are stronger in the future," Wilson wrote in an email on Friday to over 30,000 airline employees. "However, our aim in every respect, be it safety, quality, service, scale, reach, professionalism or any other dimension, remains the same if not higher than before." "We continue to have the full support of both shareholders," Wilson, who took the current role in 2022, said. Tata Sons spent ₹ 18,000 crore to buy Air India from the Indian government in January 2022. Subsequently, it merged Vistara, a 51:49 Joint Venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines Ltd, with Air India. Consequently, Singapore Airlines became a 25.1% shareholder, while Tata Sons owns 74.9%. On 12 June, an Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed within seconds after take off, resulting in the death of over 240 people. Within hours of the deadly disaster, Tata Sons and Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and other senior officials reached Ahmedabad to assess the situation. The same day, Chandrasekaran said it was the worst day of his professional career. Since then, Chandrasekaran has been firefighting issues in the aftermath of the tragic incident, leading him to skip the annual general meetings of Tata Consumer Products Ltd on Wednesday and Tata Consultancy Services on Thursday. However, he presided over the shareholder meeting of Tata Motors Ltd on Friday. Campbell asked employees to refrain from commenting or speculating on the reasons behind the country's worst civil aviation disaster in almost three decades. 'We are providing all information requested by the AAIB ( Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them,' he said. Experts see Campbell's outreach as an attempt to allay Air India employees' concerns. 'He is trying to restore confidence and reassure all pilots and cabin crew of their safety concerns, as they have become apprehensive after the tragedy,' said Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a former airline instructor pilot. On 17 June, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had raised concerns regarding recent maintenance-related issues reported by Air India and advised them to strengthen their internal coordination. The regulator also said that the surveillance conducted on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any safety concerns.
