Mumbai – In the wake of the devastating Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has made a firm and emotional commitment to aviation safety: “If there is any doubt, our aircraft will not fly.”
Wilson’s strong reassurance came through a company-wide email, where he emphasized that passenger safety will always take precedence over schedules. In response to the incident, Air India has voluntarily ramped up pre-flight inspections for its entire wide-body fleet, including Boeing 787s and 777s. This move has led to a temporary 15% cut in international long-haul flights to ensure thorough technical checks and readiness of standby aircraft.
So far, 26 out of 33 Dreamliners have successfully passed safety inspections. Wilson stressed that all aircraft had met DGCA regulations prior to these additional checks.
Describing the crashed aircraft as “well maintained,” he noted that it underwent major inspections and engine overhauls as recently as March and April 2025, with no faults detected before departure.
Wilson reiterated Air India’s full cooperation with ongoing investigations led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with additional support from U.S. and U.K. aviation authorities.
More than 500 Air India and Tata Group staff are currently stationed in Ahmedabad, offering grief support, counselling, and logistical help to affected families. Wilson praised their dedication and urged all employees to remain “united, transparent, and safety-focused” during this challenging time.
The CEO’s statement has been widely viewed as a critical step toward restoring trust and reinforcing Air India’s commitment to safe and responsible air travel.
