The Indian pilots’ body FIP, on Friday, written to the Minister of Civil Aviation, calling for the grounding of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India following a series of serious technical malfunctions linked to electrical system failures and a special DGCA audit of Air India aircraft for maintenance.
In its letter dated October 10, 2025, Captain CS Randhawa, President of FIP, the pilots’ body, cited two major incidents that occurred within a week, involving AI-117 and AI-154, as evidence of worsening safety standards and poor maintenance oversight.
The Federation warned that such repeated failures, especially after the AI-171 crash, indicate deeper issues in the aircraft’s electrical systems and maintenance practices. The letter alleged that the problems have increased since Air India shifted maintenance responsibilities from AIESL (Air India Engineering Services Ltd.) to newly hired engineers.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to take action. They called for a thorough investigation of both the AI-117 and AI-154 incidents. Additionally, they recommended grounding all Air India Boeing 787 aircraft until comprehensive checks of the electrical systems are completed.
The FIP also requested a special audit by the DGCA of Air India’s maintenance practices, with a particular focus on Minimum Equipment List (MEL) releases and recurring technical issues with the B-787 aircraft.
“The safety of air travel is being compromised by not investigating the causes of failures on B-787s in the country,” the letter emphasised.
The letter has also been copied to the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Director General of DGCA, and the Joint Director General (Air Safety) at DGCA.
(This is a developing story. Keep checking for more updates)