Air India warns of possible delays on long-haul flights amid Boeing 787 safety checks

Air India

Air India on Saturday said that the airline is conducting one-time safety checks on its Boeing 787 fleet as mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air India has 33 Boeing 787-8/9 planes. The carrier had 26 legacy Boeing 787-8s and seven Boeing 787-9s in its fleet.

In the wake of the fatal crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8 plane in Ahmedabad on Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday ordered enhanced safety checks of the aircraft fleet.

"These inspections are being carried out as the aircraft return to India, prior to being cleared for subsequent operations," Air India said in a statement.

"So far, checks have been completed on nine aircraft, and the airline remains on schedule to finish the remaining inspections on 24 aircraft within the regulator’s specified timeline," the statement further added.

"While these checks are essential, they may result in longer turnaround times and potential delays on certain long-haul routes, particularly those operating under airport curfews." "Customers will be informed in advance of any such delays, " the statement added.

The aviation regulator on Friday ordered Air India to conduct additional maintenance checks on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines, including assessments of certain take-off parameters, electronic engine control tests and engine fuel-related checks.

"We have also given the order to do the extended surveillance of the 787 planes. There are 34 in our Indian fleet," aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu told a media briefing in New Delhi.

"Eight have already been inspected and with immediate urgency, all of them are going to be done."

Air India operates 33 Boeing 787s, while IndiGo has one, according to data from Flightradar24.