Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Air India, the national carrier of India, has a history dating back to its founding in 1932. Over the decades it has grown into a major international airline connecting India to destinations worldwide — but like every airline, its safety record deserves a clear-eyed look, especially after the tragic 2025 crash of Flight AI171. This article covers Air India’s safety protocols, training, maintenance practices, accident history, and current safety standing, so you can make an informed decision about flying with the airline.
Quick Answer
Air India is IOSA-certified and operates under DGCA and ICAO oversight, but its safety record was seriously affected by the June 12, 2025 crash of Flight AI171, which killed 260 people. As of 2026, AirlineRatings.com scores the airline 4 out of 7 stars — safe to fly, but not top-tier among global or Indian carriers.
Key Takeaways
- Air India holds IOSA certification and follows ICAO and DGCA safety standards.
- The airline’s history includes serious incidents, most notably the 1985 Flight 182 bombing and the June 2025 Flight 171 crash.
- AirlineRatings.com currently rates Air India 4 out of 7 stars, reflecting the impact of the 2025 crash on its safety score.
- Pilots and crew undergo simulator training, classroom instruction, and recurring safety drills.
- Since Tata Group’s 2022 acquisition, Air India has invested in fleet upgrades and safety-culture reforms, though the pace of change is still being scrutinized following the 2025 crash.
Safety Measures and Protocols at Air India
Air India follows a safety management framework aligned with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This includes risk assessment procedures, incident reporting systems, and ongoing monitoring of operational performance.
A core part of this framework is pre-flight inspection.
Before every flight, pilots and crew are required to inspect the aircraft’s key systems, including navigation equipment, emergency gear, and cabin safety features.
Air India also uses flight-data monitoring technology to track operational performance and flag potential issues early. Following the AI171 crash, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered enhanced inspections of the Boeing 787 fleet’s fuel control switches across Indian carriers — a direct regulatory response that has since shaped Air India’s maintenance and inspection procedures.
Note: Regulatory responses to major incidents, such as fleet-wide inspection directives, are a normal part of how aviation safety improves industry-wide — not unique to Air India.
Training and Qualifications of Air India Pilots and Crew
Pilot and crew training is central to Air India’s safety approach. Pilots complete simulator sessions, classroom instruction, and supervised flight experience, as required by ICAO flight simulator training standards. This prepares them for both routine operations and emergency scenarios.
Cabin crew receive separate training in emergency procedures and safety protocols, alongside customer service. Refresher courses and recurring drills keep staff current on regulatory changes and best practices.
Maintenance and Inspection of Air India Aircraft
| Aircraft | Maintenance Schedule | Inspection Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 777 | Every 6 months | Every 100 flight hours |
| Airbus A320 | Every 4 months | Every 75 flight hours |
| Boeing 787 | Every 5 months | Every 90 flight hours |
Air India’s maintenance program follows schedules set by the DGCA and international aviation authorities, combining routine checks, scheduled overhauls, and unscheduled repairs. The airline uses diagnostic tools to catch potential issues early and keeps maintenance records for accountability. The AAIB’s preliminary report into the AI171 crash noted that the aircraft’s Airworthiness Review Certificate was valid at the time of the accident, which shifted investigative focus toward the fuel control switches rather than a maintenance lapse — though the full investigation is ongoing.
Safety Ratings and Accolades Received by Air India
Air India holds IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, a globally recognized benchmark for airline operational safety management. IOSA-registered carriers as a group post a significantly lower accident rate than non-IOSA airlines.
That said, safety ratings are not static. As of July 2026, independent safety-rating agency AirlineRatings.com scores Air India 4 out of 7 stars — a rating that reflects both its IOSA registration and the impact of the 2025 AI171 crash on its fatal-accident score. This puts Air India behind several other major Indian carriers with cleaner recent safety records.
Incident and Accident History of Air India
The 1985 Bombing of Flight 182
One of the most significant events in Air India’s history is the 1985 bombing of Flight 182, which killed all 329 people on board. The attack exposed serious gaps in aviation security screening at the time and led to major changes in airline security procedures worldwide.
The June 2025 Crash of Flight AI171
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical college hostel moments after takeoff. Of the 242 people on board, 241 died; one passenger survived. The crash also killed 19 people on the ground. It is one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the past decade and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787.
Warning: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report in July 2025 finding that both engine fuel control switches moved to the “cutoff” position within one second of each other shortly after takeoff, cutting power to both engines. The report did not determine why the switches moved, and the full investigation — involving Boeing, U.S., and U.K. investigators — remains ongoing as of mid-2026.
Enhancing Security and Operational Safety
Following AI171, the DGCA ordered precautionary inspections of fuel control switch locking mechanisms across India’s Boeing 787 and 737 fleets. Air India, under Tata Group ownership since 2022, has continued to invest in fleet renewal and safety-culture initiatives, though the crash has understandably intensified public and regulatory scrutiny of its operations.
Response and Resolution to Safety Concerns at Air India
Air India has a dedicated safety management team responsible for investigating incidents, reviewing data trends, and implementing corrective actions. The airline works with external auditors and regulators to stay compliant with evolving standards, and participates in industry safety forums to share and adopt best practices. In the aftermath of AI171, this response function has faced its most serious test yet, with the airline cooperating with AAIB investigators and implementing DGCA-mandated fleet checks.
Comparison of Air India’s Safety Record to Other Airlines
Within India’s aviation market, safety records vary. SpiceJet currently holds a 7-star AirlineRatings.com safety score and Akasa Air (which began operations in 2022) scores 6 out of 7, helped in part by younger fleets and smaller scale. IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, has also seen its score affected by a string of operational safety events between 2022 and 2025. Air India’s 4-star rating reflects a carrier with strong certification credentials (IOSA registration, ICAO/DGCA oversight) but a fatal-accident record that weighs on its overall score more heavily than some of its newer domestic rivals.
Passenger Feedback and Satisfaction with Air India’s Safety Standards
Passenger sentiment about Air India’s safety is mixed. Some travelers point to the airline’s IOSA certification, modernizing fleet, and Tata Group-led operational reforms as reasons for confidence. Others remain wary following the 2025 crash and want clearer public communication about the investigation’s findings and any resulting changes to procedures. Air India has continued to share updates on training and maintenance practices through its official channels, though transparency around the AI171 investigation itself has largely been driven by the AAIB rather than the airline.
Future Plans and Initiatives to Improve Safety at Air India
Air India has committed to further fleet upgrades, including newer aircraft with more advanced avionics, and plans to expand its use of data analytics to catch operational risks earlier. It continues to work with international aviation bodies to align its practices with evolving global standards. How effectively these initiatives translate into measurable safety improvements — particularly once the AI171 final report is published — will likely shape the airline’s safety reputation over the next several years.
Is Air India Safe to Fly?
Air India meets international certification requirements: it is IOSA-registered and operates under ICAO and DGCA oversight, with structured pilot training and maintenance programs. At the same time, the June 2025 AI171 crash was a major and tragic event that materially affects any honest assessment of the airline’s current safety standing — reflected in its 4-out-of-7 AirlineRatings.com score as of 2026, below several domestic competitors. Flying Air India today means flying a certified, regulated carrier that is still working through the aftermath and lessons of a serious recent accident. Travelers weighing the decision should look at the final AAIB report once published, alongside current safety ratings, rather than relying on the airline’s pre-2025 track record alone.
FAQs
Is Air India a safe airline?
Air India is IOSA-certified and regulated by the DGCA and ICAO standards. However, its safety record includes the June 2025 AI171 crash, and AirlineRatings.com currently scores it 4 out of 7 stars — safe to fly under international oversight, but not top-rated compared to some peers.
What safety measures does Air India have in place?
Air India runs a safety management system covering aircraft maintenance, pilot and crew training, incident reporting, and compliance with ICAO and DGCA regulations, alongside DGCA-mandated fleet inspections introduced after the 2025 crash.
Has Air India had any major safety incidents?
Yes. The most significant were the 1985 bombing of Flight 182 (329 deaths) and the June 12, 2025 crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad (260 deaths, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground). Both events led to major changes in aviation security and safety oversight.
How does Air India compare to other airlines in terms of safety?
As of 2026, Air India’s 4-star AirlineRatings.com score sits behind SpiceJet (7 stars) and Akasa Air (6 stars), and is comparable to or slightly below IndiGo, largely due to the impact of the AI171 crash on its fatal-accident record.
Where can I find information about Air India’s safety record?
Reliable sources include the DGCA, IATA’s IOSA registry, AirlineRatings.com’s safety ratings, and the AAIB’s public reports on the AI171 investigation.
Sources
- AirlineRatings.com — Air India Safety Rating — current 4/7 safety score and fatal-accident data
- IATA — Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Program — certification standards and registry
- Air India Flight 171 accident summary — crash details and casualty figures
- Al Jazeera — AAIB preliminary report coverage — fuel control switch findings
- ICAO — Flight Simulator Training Standards — pilot training requirements