Air India must be held accountable: A personal account of flying on AI

Its never easy to report on an air crash in your own backyard. But I had one of the most difficult experiences of my journalistic career on 12th June. At the precise time when Air India’s Ahmedabad to London flight crashed, leading to the death of 241 people on board and several more on the ground, I was on board an international flight on another Dreamliner. 

As news trickled in of the enormity of the tragedy, suddenly the faces of all passengers were turning anxious. Since then, a lot of commentary has been made on this tragedy. From what could have led to the crash to the makers of the Dreamliner aircraft itself. I have come across many statements asking for patience, healing for the Air India family before the question of any accountability can be raised.

While returning from my international assignment, I found myself on an Air India flight AI148, which forced me to do this piece.

AIR INDIA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, and that process must start now. 

What have the Tatas done so far?

This picture of a crack in the seat tray may look like a very small incident. But it's a reminder of just what has gone wrong with Air India. This piece isn't about trashing any airline. But at this stage, someone needs to ask the question: What has the house of Tatas done to improve the functioning of this airline since they took over? 

Quite regularly, we keep seeing news of someone or the other getting upset with Air India for some reason or the other. From commoners to VVIPs like Shivraj Singh Chauhan who had to take to X to vent his frustration.

The reasons are always the same: Lack of maintenance. Either it's the poor quality of food or the infrastructure itself. It's this approach which I fear has trickled down to the top from the bottom. 

There may be business reasons for this. AI was becoming a burden on the government, hence it was sold to the Tatas. While over 450 planes have been ordered by the company, is it time to ask for a white paper on exactly how this airline is being run? 

On June 17th, at least 7-10 AI flights were cancelled due to technical reasons. These include 

Delhi-Dubai –AI-915

Delhi -Vienna –AI 153

Delhi -Paris–AI143

Ahmedabad -London–AI159

London-Amritsar–AI-170

Bengaluru-London –AI133

Mumbai–SFO–AI-179

Mumbai-Ahmedabad -AI-2493

Are all these flight cancellations happening just as a mark of extra precaution? Do we say that these flights would not have been cancelled if the crash had not happened? Thats the most critical question. India’s airline regulator DGCA is reported to have given a clean chit to the Dreamliner. But it has pointed a finger at Air India’s maintenance and processes, clearly asking them to be tightened.Maintenance is always the most important part for any airline. Recently, DGCA had flagged off Spice Jet for not adhering to safety standards. In the past, engines being used by Indigo airlines domestically have come under scanner. Air India, somehow has always been kept away from these headlines, despite consistently whipping up some controversy or the other.

Spare a thought for the pilots and the cabin crew of Air India. While returning on the Air India flight AI 148, I did speak to the crew to find out what they were thinking. The conclusion was, lets move on. What has happened has happened. Yes, life has to go on, but unless we seek the answers to the right questions from the right authorities, we arent going to make commercial flying any safer. Time for Air India to stand up and tell the country, whats the real story of the airline.