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Indian Express
an hour ago
- General
- Indian Express
Anxiety in the skies: Pilots, cabin crew open up about mental health struggles after Ahmedabad plane crash; say ‘every call from family asking if we're alive just adds to the burden'
In the wake of the Air India flight AI171 crash on June 12 that claimed over 270 lives, murmurs within the aviation community have grown louder. Anxiety around flying isn't just affecting passengers – it's weighing heavily on those in the cockpit and cabin too. Unconfirmed reports suggested that a pilot scheduled to operate the Delhi-Copenhagen flight on June 14 experienced a panic attack and stepped down, with another pilot stepping in to ensure the flight landed safely. The incident, though not officially verified, raises serious questions about the psychological impact of such tragedies on aviation professionals. 'I was flying the plane the same day as the crash, the next, and even the day after,' a pilot from the Air India Group told on condition of anonymity. 'It could have been me, or any of us. Yes, we feel stressed and anxious. Every call from family asking if we're alive, every time we fly, just adds to the burden. Our families are traumatised. Still, we have to do what needs to be done, and have to fly,' the pilot said. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced a peer support and buddy programme in 2023 to help pilots seek therapy, but they remain hesitant to enrol. 'Signing up means being grounded without pay,' said the same pilot, who has logged similar hours to the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who led the ill-fated AI171 flight, adding, 'That's why none of us opt in. It feels more like a public relations exercise than real support.' The pilot also recalled facing 'several incidents,' including a major in-flight engine failure: 'You just have to be prepared, focus on the tasks at hand, and keep going. Nothing really prepares you fully for what the skies may throw at you.' Neha Kapoor Madan, 35, a former cabin crew member with 13 years of experience, said, 'The sky was my second home, but it never looked this grey.' Neha recalled a mid-air emergency involving a fuel leak and possible fire on landing: 'Back then, I wasn't scared. I knew what to do. But today, even with all that training, one thought lingered… what if the aircraft gives up on you? That feeling was different – quiet, heavy, real.' The AI171 crash, she said, 'took something from all of us.' Many have taken to social media to express their grief and concern. Aditi Syal, a content professional and wife of a 'proud Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot,' wrote on LinkedIn: 'Passengers asking cabin crew 'safely land karwa dogey na' (You will make us land safely, right?), is such a heartless attempt at a joke. It almost assumes cabin crew are not humans – they have no one waiting at home, no one waiting for their text, no one for whom their landing safely matters. And yes, there's a high chance he's flown the exact aircraft involved in Thursday's incident. When the news broke, our phones lit up.. But his response was, 'This plane has Sexy Engines, and these aircraft don't just fail. What happened is rare. Let the experts investigate.' He wasn't just being hopeful; he was speaking from years of training, thousands of hours in the cockpit and deep familiarity with one of the most advanced aircraft known today,' she wrote. Pilot Teena Goswami shared a somber account of her first flight after the crash. 'With heavy heart and full of emotions … Here we fly again… A silent flight ever I saw,' she shared on her Instagram, and described what she saw: *Passengers were quiet and fearful. *Airhostesses were getting enough respect and attention on the instructions given before takeoff. *Except pre-booked, no meals were bought. *Quite all around, and passengers not talking to each other. 'I felt so much silence and fear around, including me as well. What a devastating day of the crash, RIP all who lost their lives,' she wrote. Despite repeated attempts, many pilots and crew members declined to speak, choosing silence over reliving the trauma. Veteran pilot Captain Anil Rao, who has clocked 12,000 flying hours over 32 years, said that while such tragedies shake the aviation community, pilots are trained for precisely these moments. 'In life-and-death scenarios, a pilot fights till the very end to protect lives onboard and on the ground. That mindset is drilled into us. When a tragedy strikes close to home, there's shock and grief, yes, but pilots and cabin crew don't have the luxury to stop. We have to get up and fly,' he said. He explained the psychological balancing act. 'In the cockpit, we forget home. At home, we forget the cockpit. We have to dangle between the two extremes. We accept that tragedy has happened and see to it that such things shall not happen again, and learn from our and others' mistakes. That's our lives,' shared Rao. Captain Sunil Pillai, 58, a retired Air India pilot with 44 years of experience, took us through the intricacies of flying in times of adversity and said pilots must learn to navigate mentally taxing situations. 'Every six months, you're likely to face some form of emergency. No one's completely calm, but once in the cockpit, you know lives depend on you and you have to try and work hard to tackle those counterproductive thoughts, no matter what,' said Pillai, who has faced three engine failures and a hijack attempt. Even in this grief, they are reminded of something else they carry — resilience. 'The strength of those who flew the very next day, who stepped onto the aircraft despite the fear in their hearts. Because that is what it means to be part of this profession. We trust our training. We believe in our teams. And above all, we know that flying remains one of the safest forms of travel in the world. That confidence isn't blind — it's built from years of drills, of discipline, of reacting under pressure,' said former cabin crew Noopur Parth, Manager (Retd.) The IFS Department. Pillai swears by a checklist. 'I used to always tell my co-pilot that emergencies can happen even on the last day of one's career. So, whatever happens, you have to face it, right down to the last day. Take a deep breath and get going,' said Pillai. A managing committee member from Airline Pilot's Association of India (ALPA), that represents Indian pilots and is an associate member of the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), told 'ALPA has not taken any stand and we are only wanting people to stop speculation and we want to be a part of AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau which is set to investigate the crash) for transparent investigation.' The member also said, 'ALPA is ready to help any pilots or the family of the now tragically deceased pilots to cope with the Post Traumatic Stress confidentially.' Captain Rao, ALPA's General Secretary, also told us that they are open to helping anybody legally and morally. 'We are open to help anybody who has a grievance and has been affected by the crash. We have a dedicated team. Our two representatives had also gone to the funeral of the first officer and the captain. We have the addresses of the cabin crew as well. We are delegating members who can visit their houses.' He also urged pilots and crew to take the tough call. 'At any time, if I am not physically or mentally well, I am not supposed to fly as per the rules. Thoughts do come, but that is part of my job to control my thoughts, my emotions. Lives are in my hands. So, we have to be responsible in what we do. So, if not well, do not fly,' he said. Tackling nerves and managing mental health are crucial not only for their well-being but for the safety and efficiency of flight operations, said Dr Chandni Tugnait, psychotherapist and the founder and director of Gateway of Healing. 'Acknowledging mental health needs and providing proper support allows these professionals to handle stress and trauma, ensuring they can perform their duties without being impaired by unresolved psychological challenges,' said Dr Tugnait. Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist and life coach, agreed, 'Your body and mind might be breaking silently, but duty doesn't pause in crisis,' and said, 'Your role is sacred, yes, but so is your sanity. You don't serve better by ignoring your emotions. You serve best when you're emotionally regulated, rested, and supported. In aviation, duty means staying calm in the skies. But it also means doing the inner work on the ground.' She also listed seven tools to protect the mental health of pilots and cabin crew while honouring their duties: 1. Three-minute check-in before every flight: Ask yourself…'Do I feel calm, alert, and clear-headed? What do I need to fly safely for myself and others?' This is your internal safety check. Do not skip it. 2. Mini-reset rituals mid-shift: a. Do your box-breathing: Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4. '3. 'Breathwork techniques (like 4-7-8 breathing) can provide a quick reset during high-stress moments, calming the mind within minutes,' Dr Tugnait said. b. Massage your pressure points (base of skull, wrists) c. Hydrate intentionally with a 10-second pause. Sip water from a glass slowly. These micro-breaks bring your nervous system out of panic and into presence. 3. Emotional debriefs are critical: After tough flights, or incidents, don't just file reports/brush it off. Talk about how you feel. Suppressed emotion becomes trauma. Process it before it becomes toxic. 4. Pre-take-off anchor cue: One small grounding ritual (touching your badge, closing your eyes for five seconds, or an affirmation like 'I am present, prepared, and protected') can flip your brain from anxious to anchored. 5. Protect off-duty time like airspace: Schedule one digital detox every three days, one full 'no crew talk' day every week and one practice that's only for you (not for duty, not for anyone else). It can be journaling, meditation, dancing – anything that keeps you peaceful and centered. 6. Seek support before feeling broken: Try solution-focused therapy or breath-based trauma work. Don't wait for breakdowns. Schedule maintenance, not rescue. See a therapist, if need be. Jayashree Narayanan writes on fitness, health, aviation safety, food, culture and everything lifestyle. She is an alumnus of AJKMCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia and Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi ... Read More
India.com
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Air India Cabin Crew Sacking: Aviation Industry Employees Body Demands CBI Probe
New Delhi: The Aviation Industry Employees' Guild (AIEG) general secretary, George Abraham, on Friday demanded a CBI probe into the sacking of two cabin crew members by Air India for reporting a technical fault in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. He said that they have demanded a CBI probe into the sacking of two cabin crew members, as their sacking, by pressuring them to change their statements after reporting a technical fault in the Dreamliner 787 aircraft, is a very serious matter. 'This poses a threat to the safety of the aviation sector. We have also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a fair probe into the matter,' Abraham said. He further stated that on May 14, 2024, after the Air India flight from Mumbai to London reached its destination, the slide rafts opened in manual mode due to a technical fault in the door of the aircraft. According to Abraham, the slide rafts are activated only when the plane is in automatic mode. The pilot and the entire cabin crew had also admitted the technical fault in the plane in their initial statements, but due to alleged pressure from the airline's management, the statement was later changed. Abraham said that to suppress the technical fault in the plane, the Air India management allegedly pressured these people to change their statement and when they refused, both these crew members were fired from their jobs. Abraham further said that due to the seriousness of the matter, both these crew complained about the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the regulator called them to Delhi and heard the whole matter and talked about conducting an 'informal investigation'. However, eight months have passed, but no result of the 'informal investigation' has come out, he mentioned. According to Abraham, after the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, the attention of the government and the people is back on this issue. 'This is why, we have raised it once again and written a letter to PM Modi. We hope that this investigation will be expedited,' said Abraham.
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Told to change statement, then fired: Air India whistleblowers write to PM Modi
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn following the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, two former senior cabin crew members wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging they were wrongfully terminated last year after raising alarm over technical issues in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The letter claimed that, "the said accident was waiting to happen as our various statements and contentions relating to the technical aspects and defects in the Aircraft – (Dreamliner Aircraft B787/8 Series), were deliberately pulled under the carpet, ignored, overlooked or not considered seriously for reasons best known to Air India Ltd management (AI) and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ....." The crew claimed the crash was 'waiting to happen,' and that their repeated warnings about aircraft defects -- especially a 2024 incident involving Dreamliner VT-ANQ -- were ignored by Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to the letter, the door's slide raft had deployed on landing in London without manual input, a claim initially supported by the pilot and crew. However, the signatories allege they were later pressured to change their statements, and when they refused, they were sacked without a proper enquiry. "We fail to understand why an informal discussion instead of an impartial full-fledged enquiry was sought to be conducted by DGCA, the Regulatory Authority, when such a grave incident relating to passenger and crew safety was reported", it said. Calling it their "last hope," the crew seeks the Prime Minister's intervention to reinstate them and investigate the Dreamliner's safety record. A day after this letter was shot off, Air India on Friday told IANS that the said cabin crew members were terminated for their 'misconduct and behaviour and continuing to falsify critical information during the course of an investigation'. 'The said investigation was launched after an emergency slide was activated while opening the aircraft door post landing,' said the airline in a statement. This matter now reignites the tensions within the airline and its employees and measures on air travel safety.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India fares drop after Boeing 787 crash; fleet inspections lead to flight cancellations and reduced operations
Representative image Air India fares have fallen significantly across both domestic and international routes following the crash of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner last week. Data from travel platform ixigo showed a sharp drop in Advance Purchase Days (APD) fares, tickets bought between zero and fifteen days before travel, compared to the previous week. The analysis compared average one-way fares for the June 13–19 period with those from June 6–12. According to an ET report, on international routes, several key sectors recorded decreases. Fares from New Delhi to Kuala Lumpur dropped by 16% to Rs 11,389. Other routes, such as Dubai and Sydney, saw 5% declines, while fares to Melbourne dropped 2%. A 1% drop was noted on some flights from Mumbai. Routes to Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia also saw falling fares, while ticket prices to the UK increased, ET reported quoting Online Travel Agency (OTA). Bengaluru-Hyderabad fares fell 24% to ₹3,314. Similar declines were seen on Bengaluru-Pune (22%), Bengaluru-Chennai (22%), New Delhi-Ahmedabad (21%), and Mumbai-Chennai (21%) routes. Smaller drops were observed in New Delhi-Hyderabad (2%) and Mumbai-Ahmedabad (1%). Meanwhile, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson in a statement said that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed underwent a major check in June 2023, with the next due in December 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 70대 혈당, 퉁퉁붓던 발등"이것" 2주 먹었더니..즉각 개선효과! 5070 혈당케어 더 알아보기 Undo The right engine was overhauled in March, and the left was inspected in April. "Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight," he said. Air India is inspecting its entire fleet of 33 Dreamliner aircraft, following a directive from the civil aviation regulator. So far, checks on 26 planes have been completed. As a result of these inspections, along with airspace closures and night-time restrictions, the airline has cancelled some flights. Wilson said that Air India will cut international widebody operations by 15% from June 20 through mid-July to ensure more backup aircraft are available. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India cancels eight flights as post-crash safety checks hit operations across major domestic and international routes
Air India cancelled at least eight more flights on Friday, citing ongoing maintenance and operational checks. These continued disruptions come after the June 12 Ahmedabad–London Gatwick Dreamliner crash that left 271 dead, including more than 30 people on the ground. The airline remains under increased scrutiny, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) intensifies safety checks across the Boeing 787 fleet. Affected routes on June 20 Friday's cancellations included both international and domestic routes. Among the international flights called off were AI906 (Dubai–Chennai), AI308 (Delhi–Melbourne), AI309 (Melbourne–Delhi), and AI2204 (Dubai–Hyderabad). On the domestic side, the affected flights included AI874 (Pune–Delhi), AI456 (Ahmedabad–Delhi), and AI2872 (Hyderabad–Mumbai). These cancellations follow a week of similar disruptions, most notably on Tuesday, when 13 Dreamliner-operated flights were grounded. This included AI-159, the revised flight number for the Ahmedabad–London route previously listed as AI-171. That aircraft was expected to resume services but remained grounded due to aircraft unavailability. DGCA oversight and safety status The DGCA has ordered detailed safety reviews of Air India's Dreamliner aircraft. As per updates shared on June 18, 24 of the 33 Boeing 787s in Air India's fleet had undergone safety inspections. Two aircraft are currently listed as AOG (Aircraft on Ground) at Delhi Airport due to maintenance requirements. Since the crash, a total of 66 Dreamliner flights have been cancelled. On the day of the incident alone, six Dreamliner-operated services were halted. The regulatory body continues to schedule more aircraft for inspection in the coming days as the situation evolves. Operational challenges continue Air India's flight cancellations reflect a broader challenge in managing safety demands and maintaining operational continuity. As maintenance and checks proceed, the airline is working to stabilise its schedules and address logistical pressures across its domestic and international safety checks still ongoing, Air India faces growing disruptions as it balances regulatory demands with maintaining essential flight services.
