A year after the AI 171 disaster, the government says the investigation is nearing completion. As authorities promise a transparent inquiry, Air India has revealed major safety, training and mental health measures adopted since the crash.
Marking one year since the accident, Naidu remembered those who lost their lives and expressed condolences to their families.
UPDATED: Jun 15, 2026 12:26 IST
A year after the Air India Flight AI 171 tragedy, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the investigation has entered its final phase, while stressing that authorities will not rush the process and will continue to follow internationally accepted protocols before releasing the final report.
Speaking to India Today, the minister said the inquiry remains a serious exercise governed by established national and international procedures.
"There is an investigation process which is very protocol-based. The international protocol is the basis of the investigation process," Naidu said.
Calling it a "very serious investigation", he said the authorities are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability.
"They are trying to do it as soon as possible. But we cannot skip the process and cannot be hasty in it. We are following the process completely," he said.
"I believe that they are in the last leg, so we will get the final report as soon as possible."
ONE YEAR SINCE THE TRAGEDY
Marking one year since the accident, Naidu remembered those who lost their lives and expressed condolences to their families.
"Today, as we mark one year since the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 accident, we remember with profound sorrow those who lost their lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones," he said.
The minister said investigators continue to work with diligence and professionalism in line with established procedures.
"We remain committed to a thorough and objective determination of the causes of the accident and to further enhancing aviation safety," he added.
AIR INDIA DETAILS SAFETY OVERHAUL
As the investigation continues, Air India has outlined a series of internal measures introduced over the past year to strengthen safety standards, improve fleet reliability and support employee wellbeing.
According to an internal document, the airline undertook a "safety pause" following the AI 171 tragedy, carrying out detailed inspections of its Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The inspections did not uncover any issues.
The airline also examined the fuel control switch mechanism on Boeing 737 and Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with no findings reported.
Air India said the additional ground time during the exercise enabled accelerated upgrades aimed at improving aircraft reliability and reducing delays and operational disruptions.
FOCUS ON FLEET RELIABILITY
The airline said it has stepped up efforts to strengthen the operational performance of its widebody fleet, particularly the Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
According to the document, progress on reliability programmes for the Boeing 787 fleet increased significantly over the past year. The execution level of initial programmes rose from nearly 75 per cent to 87 per cent, while the number of reliability initiatives expanded from 36 to 45.
Overall completion levels increased from 48 per cent to 65 per cent during the same period.
Air India said the measures are aimed at delivering greater consistency, efficiency and long-term operational improvements across the fleet.
EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
The airline also detailed enhancements to its employee support systems through an integrated training and mental health framework.
Air India said the programme, developed under its Human Factors Charter and in place even before the AI 171 accident, covers flight crew, cadets, cabin crew and other employees. The framework is designed to strengthen safety culture, regulatory compliance and human performance through a proactive and non-punitive approach.
Following the AI 171 accident, the airline expanded its mental health initiatives through a programme called Wellness.AI.
As part of the effort, a network of 265 psychologists was deployed to provide large-scale psychological support. Employees and their families were also offered access to confidential therapy and psychiatric services, with coverage extended to up to three family members per employee.
The developments come as investigators work towards completing the final report into one of the country's most closely watched aviation accidents, with the government maintaining that accuracy and adherence to international standards will take precedence over speed.
- Ends
Published By:
Sonali Verma
Published On:
Jun 15, 2026 12:26 IST
Read the full article at India Today →
India