18

Jun

Ahmedabad Crash Shakes Global Confidence in Civil Aviation

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Prof Shivaji Sarkar

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New Delhi | Wednesday | 18 June 2025

In a fiery instant over Ahmedabad, confidence in civil aviation—both in India and globally—was shattered with the crash of an Air India Dreamliner. The tragic death toll—142 onboard, plus over 20 on the ground—has sparked not just mourning but deep concern about safety, regulatory oversight, and corporate accountability in the aviation industry.

Owned by the Tata Group, Air India swiftly announced a ₹1 crore compensation per victim. While seen as a gesture of goodwill, experts view it more as damage control amid global scrutiny of India’s aviation safety standards. With India now the third-largest aviation market by passenger volume, the crash has exposed systemic weaknesses in a sector stretched thin by cost pressures and weak oversight.

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Global Shockwaves and Boeing’s Growing Troubles

The fallout was immediate. Boeing’s shares plunged 8% ahead of the Paris Air Show, where the company had planned to highlight its next-generation aircraft. CEO Kelly Ortberg cancelled his appearance, reflecting the mounting scrutiny. Boeing’s key suppliers—Spirit AeroSystems (fuselage) and GE Aerospace (engines)—also suffered 20% stock losses. Total financial damage is estimated in the billions.

 

Article at a Glance
The recent crash of an Air India Dreamliner over Ahmedabad has raised significant concerns about aviation safety in India and worldwide, resulting in 142 fatalities onboard and over 20 on the ground. Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has offered ₹1 crore compensation per victim, seen as a response to growing scrutiny of India's aviation standards. The incident has also impacted Boeing, with shares dropping 8% and raising questions about the reliability of its aircraft, particularly the 787 Dreamliner, which has faced recurring battery issues. The crash highlights systemic weaknesses in India's aviation sector, dominated by a duopoly of IndiGo and Tata, leading to operational shortcuts and regulatory inconsistencies. Experts call for comprehensive investigations and reforms, including separating regulatory and promotional roles within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and prioritising pilot welfare. The tragedy serves as a critical reminder of the need for rigorous safety measures and oversight in aviation.

 

The crash has reignited debate over the reliability of Boeing’s privately operated model versus Airbus, which is supported by European governments. While the 787 Dreamliner has a solid safety record on paper, it has been plagued with recurring issues, most notably, its lithium-ion battery system. These batteries, similar to those in Delhi’s e-rickshaws, are susceptible to “thermal runaway,” a dangerous overheating phenomenon that has led to multiple groundings.

Japan Airlines, among others, has previously grounded Dreamliners due to battery-related risks. A Boeing whistleblower recently warned of structural flaws in all 787s and called for their grounding. Another whistleblower who flagged substandard parts was later found dead under suspicious circumstances.

This is not Boeing’s first crisis. The company paid $1.1 billion to settle charges over two 737 Max crashes in 2018–19. From space missions gone wrong—like the Starliner malfunction that stranded astronauts at the ISS—to worker complaints about shoddy assembly, Boeing’s credibility is under siege.

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India’s Aviation Ecosystem: A Crisis in the Making

The Ahmedabad crash has exposed the fragility of India’s aviation structure. With nearly 90% of the domestic market now dominated by just two players—IndiGo and the Tata Group (Air India and Vistara)—competition is limited. Despite regional schemes like UDAN, this duopoly raises concerns over pricing, service quality, and most critically, safety.

Operational shortcuts are evident. High aviation fuel prices, among the highest globally, and supply chain constraints have pushed airlines into cost-cutting mode. Grounded aircraft—particularly those with Pratt & Whitney engine issues—now represent over 16% of the total fleet. Passenger complaints about inoperative air-conditioning and poor maintenance are rising.

Regulatory action has been inconsistent. The DGCA fined IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India for repeated violations, while SpiceJet was ordered to cut operations in 2022. Airport operators in Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow, and others were penalised by BCAS for breaching the 1937 Aircraft Rules. Even foreign carriers are under scrutiny—recent inspections of Turkish Airlines revealed unauthorised ground staff and dangerous cargo irregularities at multiple Indian airports.

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Boeing vs Airbus: A Widening Divide

Statistically, Boeing’s safety record has lagged behind Airbus's. Since 2014, Boeing aircraft have logged 32 technical failures and several fatal crashes, compared to 10 malfunctions and no fatal incidents for Airbus. While Boeing operates a larger global fleet, the frequency and severity of issues point to systemic lapses.

Ironically, Tata Group has doubled down on Boeing, placing a massive order for 500 aircraft. This breaks from earlier eras when India’s national carriers maintained a balance between Boeing and Airbus under public ownership. Today’s heavy tilt toward Boeing—driven by private sector economics—raises red flags about oversight and risk tolerance.

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Beyond Pilot Error: A Systemic Breakdown

The default explanation for aviation tragedies often boils down to “pilot error.” While human mistakes are real, this narrative can mask deeper structural flaws. The Ahmedabad disaster must prompt a comprehensive probe—not just into cockpit decisions, but into aircraft maintenance, manufacturing standards, and regulatory failures.

Warnings were already there. In August 2023, an in-flight engine shutdown on a 787 (VT-ANW) was reported. By November, the government told the Rajya Sabha that 18 safety violations had occurred across airlines and ground operators in just three years. Each was a missed opportunity to act.

Aviation, by its nature, cannot tolerate thin safety margins. When profit motives overpower caution, the result is not turbulence—it’s tragedy.

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Diplomatic and Regulatory Ramifications

The Ahmedabad crash risks more than financial and human loss—it may trigger diplomatic strain. India’s growing ties with Boeing and the U.S. are now under the microscope. Aviation forums are questioning whether Indian regulators have gone soft on Boeing to preserve bilateral deals.

Such perceptions could damage India’s standing in global aviation bodies like ICAO and IATA, which rely on transparent and impartial enforcement of safety standards.

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Time for Structural Reform

At the heart of the crisis is a governance flaw: the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) both promotes and regulates aviation, creating an inherent conflict of interest. Aviation experts have long advocated separating these roles, mirroring the U.S. model, where the FAA regulates while other bodies handle promotion and licensing.

India needs an independent aviation safety board, empowered to investigate crashes, enforce grounding orders, and publish public safety audits. Without this institutional firewall, regulatory capture is inevitable.

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Overworked Pilots, Underpowered Oversight

Pilot fatigue remains a silent but deadly threat. Reports from pilot unions cite exhausting schedules, limited rest, and psychological stress. Unlike the EU, India lacks enforceable Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) codes and robust psychological screening for pilots. These human factors must be prioritised in future reforms.

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A Case for ‘Make in India’

Finally, the tragedy underscores India’s overdependence on foreign aviation tech. HAL’s underfunded regional aircraft projects remain stalled, while private investment in domestic aerospace remains sluggish. A renewed push for Make-in-India—spanning aircraft design, systems engineering, and pilot training—could build self-reliance and innovation in aviation safety.

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Conclusion: No Room for Complacency

The Ahmedabad crash is more than a tragic mishap—it is a wake-up call for India and the global aviation community. Investigations must move beyond assigning blame to a pilot or a momentary lapse. What’s needed is systemic reform, rigorous oversight, and a bold rethinking of how safety is managed.

In the skies, there is no room for error—and no excuse for inaction.

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