Air India’s Safety Record Under Cloud as it Expands Its International Presence and Modernizes Operations

Air India’s safety record spans nearly a century of aviation history, marked by devastating tragedies, security challenges, and a continuous evolution toward modern safety standards that reflect both the airline’s turbulent past and its recent transformation under new ownership.

The national carrier’s most defining moment came on June 23, 1985, when Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-237B christened “Emperor Kanishka,” was torn apart by a terrorist bomb while cruising at 31,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. All 329 people aboard perished in what remains one of aviation’s deadliest terrorist attacks, forever changing how the world views airline security.

The Kanishka bombing, carried out by Khalistani extremists using a timer-activated device, claimed primarily Canadian citizens of Indian origin traveling from Montreal to Delhi via London. The explosion occurred at approximately 12:14 AM, destroying the aircraft’s left aft fuselage and sending debris across miles of ocean off the Irish coast. The tragedy prompted sweeping security reforms across the aviation industry and led to the establishment of Canada’s Kanishka Project in 2011, which continues to fund counterterrorism research today.

But the 1985 attack was not Air India’s first major safety incident. Seven years earlier, on New Year’s Day 1978, Flight AI-855 crashed into the Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff from Mumbai, killing all 213 people aboard. According to aviation investigators, the Boeing 747-200 went down due to a faulty attitude detector that caused spatial disorientation during the nighttime departure, highlighting the critical importance of reliable flight instruments in an era before modern digital systems.

The airline’s safety challenges extended beyond these headline-grabbing disasters. Throughout its history, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express have faced various incidents ranging from runway overruns to technical malfunctions. In 2020, an Air India Express flight carrying nearly 200 passengers and crew skidded off a rain-soaked runway, resulting in 17 fatalities and underscoring the ongoing challenges of operating in India’s monsoon-affected aviation environment.

The most significant chapter in Air India’s recent history began in 2022 when the airline returned to its roots through privatization, with the Tata Group reclaiming control of the carrier it originally founded.

Founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by aviation pioneer J.R.D. Tata, the carrier was nationalized in 1953 and became India’s flag carrier during an era when aviation safety standards and technology were far less advanced than today. The airline operated through decades when mechanical failures were more common, security screening was rudimentary, and the geopolitical tensions of the subcontinent created unique operational challenges.

Following the Kanishka tragedy, Air India implemented comprehensive security enhancements including advanced baggage screening procedures, improved passenger verification systems, and strengthened coordination with international security agencies. The airline adopted explosive detection systems and enhanced its maintenance protocols while working closely with global aviation authorities to prevent similar attacks.

The transformation accelerated as Air India modernized its fleet with Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320 neo family aircraft, replacing aging aircraft with modern systems featuring digital flight management technology and enhanced safety features. The airline’s operations remain under the oversight of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which enforces safety regulations and conducts regular audits while ensuring compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

The most significant chapter in Air India’s recent history began in 2022 when the airline returned to its roots through privatization, with the Tata Group reclaiming control of the carrier it originally founded. This transition has brought renewed focus on safety and operational excellence, with substantial investments in fleet modernization, enhanced training programs, and improved maintenance standards.

The privatization represents more than just a change in ownership; it symbolizes Air India’s commitment to meeting contemporary international safety standards in an industry that has seen dramatic improvements over the past several decades. Modern aviation technology, sophisticated weather radar systems, enhanced pilot training protocols, and advanced maintenance procedures have collectively made flying statistically safer than ever before.

Air India’s safety journey mirrors the broader evolution of global aviation, from an industry where accidents were more frequent due to technological limitations to today’s highly regulated environment where multiple safety systems provide redundant protection. The lessons learned from tragedies like the Kanishka bombing have contributed to security protocols now standard across the industry, while advances in aircraft design and maintenance have significantly reduced the likelihood of mechanical failures.

Today, as Air India operates modern aircraft on international routes under enhanced safety protocols, the airline’s historical incidents serve as important reminders of how far aviation safety has progressed. The carrier’s current operations reflect not only the technological advances of the 21st century but also the hard-learned lessons from decades of both triumph and tragedy in the skies.

The transformation from a state-owned carrier marked by safety challenges to a modernized airline under private ownership represents Air India’s ongoing commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence. While the shadows of past incidents remain part of the airline’s history, its current trajectory points toward a future built on contemporary safety standards and modern aviation technology.

As Air India continues to expand its international presence and modernize its operations, the airline’s nine-decade journey serves as a testament to aviation’s remarkable safety evolution and the critical importance of learning from past tragedies to build a safer future for air travel.