Air India begins phased Boeing 787 modifications after FAA safety directive

Air India has started modifying parts of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet following a safety directive issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over a potential issue involving door assist handles, sources familiar with the matter told PTI.

The airline is carrying out the changes in phases and has already completed the required modifications on some of its older Dreamliners. Sources said the exercise is precautionary and has no bearing on the airline's current flight operations or passenger safety.

The FAA earlier this month issued an airworthiness directive covering certain Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft after reports that door assist handles had become detached from their mounting points during pre-flight inspections.

Directive aims to prevent injuries

According to the FAA, a detached door assist handle could injure passengers, crew members or maintenance personnel while opening an aircraft door. In an emergency, the issue could also slow or hinder evacuation if the handle fails to function as intended.

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To address the problem, the regulator has directed airlines operating affected aircraft to install redesigned retaining components on support brackets. Depending on the aircraft model, operators must also inspect door assist handles, carry out corrective actions where necessary and install identification markings or placards on certain assemblies.

Air India currently operates 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including 26 legacy Boeing 787-8 aircraft and nine Boeing 787-9s. Three of the 787-9s were acquired directly by Air India, while six joined the fleet after the merger with Vistara. The carrier's overall fleet stands at 185 aircraft, including both narrow-body and wide-body jets.

While it remains unclear how many of Air India's Dreamliners fall under the FAA directive, sources said the airline is fully aware of the requirements and is implementing the mandated changes in line with the regulator's instructions.

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IndiGo also operates Boeing 787 aircraft through five leased Dreamliners sourced from Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic. Neither Air India nor Boeing has officially commented on the ongoing modification programme.

(With PTI inputs)