Air India technical incidents hit 14-month high in January amid safety scrutiny

Air India recorded its highest rate of technical incidents in at least 14 months in January, with issues such as engine oil and fuel leaks reported across its fleet. According to a company document submitted to the government, the airline logged 1.09 technical incidents per 1,000 flights in January, sharply up from 0.26 in December 2024.

The airline operated over 17,500 flights in January and reported 23 technical incidents on domestic and international routes, of which at least 21 were formally investigated. The incidents included engine stall warnings, flight control and hydraulic issues, and five cases of fuel or engine oil leaks involving both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Air India has been under heightened scrutiny from the aviation regulator since a deadly crash last year and has acknowledged the need for urgent improvements in process discipline and compliance culture. Government data presented to lawmakers showed that 82.5 per cent of 166 analysed aircraft had recurring technical defects since January 2025.

In response, the Tata Group-owned carrier has introduced periodic inspection programmes for its Airbus A320 fleet, replaced hydraulic hoses on Boeing 777 aircraft, and launched targeted engineering measures to strengthen aircraft reliability. It has also taken corrective steps following international regulatory queries over operational procedures.