CEO Campbell Wilson Updates Passengers Following Recent Incident
Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has reassured passengers of the airline’s commitment to safety and operational excellence in the wake of increased scrutiny following the June AI171 accident.
In a message to Maharaja Club members, Wilson detailed newly intensified safety protocols, including comprehensive inspections of the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleets and targeted checks of specific aircraft fuel control switch mechanisms. These actions, overseen by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), resulted in no reported issues.
The airline’s voluntary “Safety Pause”—announced in June—remains in effect, with a temporary reduction in flight schedules to allow for additional pre-flight checks and accelerated reliability upgrades. Air India is also using this period to improve its management of delays and disruptions.
Wilson highlighted the airline’s routine, multi-layered safety checks and ongoing compliance with both DGCA and international aviation standards. He noted that annual regulatory audits and the IATA’s bi-annual Operational Safety Audit have assessed Air India’s performance as “entirely normal” for its scale.
Beyond regulatory compliance, Air India has engaged consulting firm Oliver Wyman / CAVOK and Boeing for independent safety and operational evaluations. International operations will be restored in phases beginning August 1, 2025, with a target for full resumption by October 1, 2025.
Wilson acknowledged recent operational challenges and apologized for travel disruptions, assuring customers that modernization efforts—including a retrofit program to enhance in-flight experiences—remain underway.
Air India reiterated its dedication to passenger safety, transparent operations, and continuous improvement as it navigates its return to full service.