New Delhiinfo-icon: Indiainfo-icon's aviation sector is grappling with an escalating safety crisis following a deadly crash involving an Air Indiainfo-icon Boeing 787-Dreamliner and a rising wave of technical snags across multiple airlines, prompting urgent questions over operational oversight and crew welfare.

The crisis deepened after over 100 Air India pilots went on medical leave just days after the catastrophic Ahmedabad crash, which claimed 274 lives. The aircraft, en route to Delhi, lost thrust mid-air and slammed into a hostel building two kilometres from the airport boundary.

Pilot Mental Healthinfo-icon in Focus

Junior Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol, addressing Parliament on Thursday, revealed that 51 Commanders and 61 First Officers submitted medical leave requests four days after the incident. Highlighting the psychological toll of such tragedies, Mohol emphasized the need to prioritize mental health assessments for aviation personnel.

He said that in February 2023, the government directed airlines to adopt "quick and effective methods" for assessing pilot mental health. Operators were also instructed to roll out customised mental health training and establish peer support groups for both flight crew and air traffic controllers.

DGCA Issues Fresh Notices to Air India

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued four show-cause notices to Air India on July 23, citing multiple violations related to:

  • Cabin crew rest and duty time limits,
  • Training deficiencies
  • Lapses in operational procedures.

These notices stemmed from voluntary disclosures made by Air India in June, which detailed lapses on ultra-long haul flights operated between April 27 and May 2, and other operations in July 2024, October 2024, and April 2025.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed the notices and reiterated the airline's "commitment to crew and passenger safety."

This brings the total to 13 safety-related notices served to Air India in just six months.

String of Incidents Raise Alarm

Several recent Air India incidents have alarmed passengers and regulators alike:

On Tuesday, an Airbus A321 from Hong Konginfo-icon to Delhi caught fire in its auxiliary power unit after landing. The blaze was quickly contained.

On Wednesday, an Air India Express flight from Kozhikode to Dohainfo-icon was diverted back after a technical snag shortly post take-off.

Earlier in the week, AIinfo-icon 2403 (Delhi-Kolkata) aborted take-off after a cockpit warning during the take-off roll. All 160 passengers were safely evacuated.

On the same day, AI 2744 (Kochi-Mumbaiinfo-icon) veered off the runway during landing amid heavy rains, damaging one engine.

Industry-Wide Safety Concerns

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister Mohol disclosed that five Indian airlines had reported 183 technical snags just this year, as of July 21. The Air India Group, including AI Express, topped the list with 85 defects.

Other carriers reporting issues include:

  • IndiGo: 62 snags
  • Akasa Air: 28 snags
  • SpiceJet: 8 snags

Data also shows that Air India Group has recorded 541 technical snags over the past five years, the highest among Indian carriers.

Mounting Passenger Worries

With multiple high-profile incidents in a short span, Indian air travelers are growing increasingly uneasy. Aviation analysts say the pattern suggests deep-rooted structural problems, including overburdened crew, training lapses, and insufficient regulatory enforcement.

As investigations into the Ahmedabad crash continue, experts are calling for urgent reforms, enhanced safety audits, and better mental health safeguards for aviation professionals.