Air India crashed plane's engines were 'inspected' in recent months, Tata's airline tells Maharaja Club members

In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, which claimed the lives of 241 people onboard and 34 on the ground, Air India has reached out directly to its elite Maharaja Club members to reaffirm its safety commitments and provide clarity on the ongoing response measures.

In a message sent to frequent flyers, the airline acknowledged the grief and shock following the disaster and expressed its condolences. “Words cannot express the pain we feel for the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event,” the communication by CEO Campbell Wilson read.

The flight AI171 was enroute to London on June 12 when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport.


The airline confirmed that it is cooperating fully with the official investigation into the crash and outlined known facts about the ill-fated flight. The aircraft was a Boeing 787, maintained as per schedule with its last major inspection in June 2023 and the next one due in December 2025, it said. The engines had also undergone recent checks, the right in March 2025 and the left in April 2025.

In a TV interview with Times Now, N Chandrasekaran, the Tata Sons' Chairman, had also said that this particular aircraft, this specific tail, AI-171 has a 'clean history'.

The flight was commanded by senior pilots with a combined experience of over 13,000 flying hours, it said in a mail seen by ET.

As a precautionary measure, and following a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 14, Air India has been carrying out detailed safety inspections across its fleet of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. “So far, inspections have been completed on 26 and these have been cleared for service. The remaining aircraft are currently in planned maintenance and will have these additional checks done before being released into service,” the airline said.

The DGCA, after its preliminary review, confirmed that Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet and maintenance protocols continue to meet safety standards.

Also Read: Seven days after AI plane crash in Ahmedabad, debris, tail fin still lying at site as probe continues

However, the airline admitted that these enhanced safety checks, compounded by operational challenges such as airspace closures in the Middle East and night-time curfews at several international airports, have led to disruptions. This has resulted in a “higher-than-usual number of cancellations on our long-haul network in the past few days.”

Furthermore, Air India on Wednesday announced its decision to temporarily reduce its international widebody flight schedule by approximately 15 per cent starting June 20 through at least mid-July, to stabilise operations and increase fleet availability. The airline said it would also extend these additional checks to its Boeing 777 aircraft “as a confidence-building measure.”

Passengers affected by these cancellations will be offered rebooking at no additional cost or full refunds, the airline confirmed.

“We are grateful for your support, and your understanding that safety must always come first,” the letter read. “Your trust means everything to us.”

The airline said it would share an updated international schedule in the coming days and encouraged customers to reach out to its support channels for assistance.