Air India Fires Cabin Crew After Fault Report on Dreamliner; Aviation Guild Seeks CBI Probe, Writes to PM Modi
New Delhi: The Aviation Industry Employees’ Guild (AIEG) has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the controversial dismissal of two Air India cabin crew members. The employees were allegedly fired after refusing to alter their official statements regarding a technical fault that occurred during a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight.
The incident, now drawing nationwide attention, has raised serious questions over aviation safety, internal pressure tactics, and the regulatory response to such allegations.
The Incident: Technical Fault on May 14 Flight to London
According to AIEG General Secretary George Abraham, the issue dates back to May 14, 2024, when an Air India flight from Mumbai to London encountered a technical malfunction in the aircraft door system. The flight, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, saw its slide rafts deploy manually upon landing—something that, according to protocol, should only occur in automatic mode.
“The slide rafts are designed to activate only when the aircraft is in automatic evacuation mode. In this case, a fault triggered the deployment manually after the aircraft reached London,” Abraham told IANS.
Initial Admission, Followed by Retraction
Abraham claimed that the pilot and entire cabin crew had initially acknowledged the technical fault in their formal statements. However, the airline management allegedly pressured the crew to revise their testimonies in order to cover up the issue.
When two cabin crew members reportedly refused to modify their original statements, they were terminated from service, raising concerns about retaliation and the suppression of safety concerns within India’s national airline.
Guild Seeks CBI Probe, Appeals to PM Modi
The AIEG has taken serious exception to what it describes as an “institutional attempt to cover up” an aviation safety lapse. The union has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention and a CBI-led independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to the dismissals.
“This poses a threat to the safety of the aviation sector. We’ve appealed to PM Modi for a fair and transparent investigation,” said Abraham.
DGCA’s Delayed Response Under Scrutiny
Abraham also revealed that a complaint was submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shortly after the incident. The regulator responded by calling both cabin crew members to Delhi for an ‘informal investigation’ into the matter.
Despite assurances, eight months have passed, and there has been no formal outcome or action from the DGCA, said Abraham. The apparent delay in the regulatory response has only deepened the controversy.
Broader Concerns: Aviation Safety in the Spotlight
The demand for a CBI investigation has resurfaced amid renewed focus on aviation safety, especially after the recent Ahmedabad plane crash, which has triggered public debate and government attention around airline accountability and crew protection.
The timing of the renewed appeal indicates rising pressure on aviation authorities and government stakeholders to respond to public safety concerns proactively.
What the AIEG Demands
- A CBI investigation into the firing of the two cabin crew members
- A review of the technical fault in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Clarification on the management’s alleged pressure tactics
- Transparency from Air India and DGCA on the findings
- Protection of whistleblowers and frontline aviation staff
Background: Slide Rafts and Aircraft Door Systems
Slide rafts are critical emergency equipment used during evacuation. Typically, they are triggered automatically when a door is opened in emergency mode. A manual deployment can indicate a malfunction, improper operation, or a system failure—each of which must be reported and investigated under civil aviation regulations.
A malfunction in such systems not only affects aircraft safety protocols but also reflects broader concerns over maintenance, training, and oversight.
Final Word
The sacking of crew members who allegedly reported a genuine safety issue has sparked a debate over the treatment of employees and whistleblowers in the aviation industry. With a formal CBI probe requested, and a letter sent to PM Modi, the ball is now in the court of India’s top authorities.
If proven true, the implications could be far-reaching—not just for Air India, but for the entire civil aviation regulatory framework in the country.
TheTrendingPeople.com will continue to monitor this story and provide verified updates as it develops.