Aircraft was well maintained: Air India CEO Wilson on AI171 crash

The crashed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was “well-maintained” with its last major check done in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December this year, said Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Thursday.

In a message to flyers, the Air India chief also said that the 15 per cent reduction in Air India’s international wide-body fleet operations for the next few weeks is a temporary move.

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The plane was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and engines were regularly maintained.

As a confidence-building measure, the airline is enhancing pre-flight safety checks on its Boeing 787 and 777 fleet, he said.

Given the time these additional checks will consume and the potential impact on schedules, Air India has decided to reduce its international wide-body flights by around 15 per cent starting June 20 till at least mid-July, Wilson said. “This will also allow us to have more backup aircraft ready to handle any unexpected issues. We understand that this temporary reduction.