Air India

Air India's safety record has recently come under scrutiny following a notable incident.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. This incident marked the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787. In the six months leading up to July 2025, Air India reportedly received 13 notices for multiple safety violations and incidents, including an A321 power unit fire, a flight veering off the runway, and an aborted takeoff. The Indian government has since initiated direct meetings with Air India's management, urging better oversight on safety and engineering.

• Regulatory Certifications: While specific mention of IOSA certification in recent searches is not prominent, Air India's ongoing refurbishment program for its Boeing 787 fleet is subject to approvals from global regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In 2015, Air India received the IATA environmental assessment certificate (IEnvA) for adopting IATA international standards and best practices, being the first Indian airline to do so. AirlineRatings.com indicates that Air India has "Passed" its audits (1/1).

• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: A significant portion of Air India's operational fleet is aging; as of early 2025, over a third (37%) of its aircraft were more than 10 years old, with 43 planes exceeding 15 years and 27 in the 10-15 year range. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the June 2025 crash was 11.5 years old. The airline faces persistent challenges with seat maintenance, with an average of 250 passenger seats developing faults monthly due to a scarcity of spare parts for older aircraft, some of which are 15 to 20 years old. To address these issues, Air India launched a US$400 million refit program in September 2024 to revamp 67 legacy aircraft, with upgrades for narrow-body aircraft expected by September 2025, followed by wide-body Boeing aircraft.

• Overall Safety Assessment: Based on available data, AirlineRatings.com currently assigns Air India a safety rating of 3/7. The June 2025 fatal crash contributed to Air India failing the "Fatality Free" category in this assessment. The airline is under increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies, emphasizing the need for robust safety and engineering oversight as it undergoes its modernization efforts.

• Safety Awards or Recognitions: Air India received the National Environment Health and Safety Award in 2015 for its efforts in reducing carbon emissions and was awarded the IATA environmental assessment certificate (IEnvA) in the same year. More recently, in September 2025, Air India was recognized as the "Most Improved Airline" at the APEX Awards, an acknowledgment of its broader operational enhancements, though not directly a safety award. Other recent awards have focused on design, service, and hospitality.