A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court seeking an immediate safety audit of Air India’s Boeing fleet, days after an the airliner’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 275 people.
The petition, filed by advocate Ajay Bansal, calls for the grounding of all Boeing aircraft until a comprehensive safety check is completed within a set timeframe of two weeks.
Air India flight AI 171, bound for London, crashed on June 12 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew on board when it went down and ploughed into a medical college building. There was only one survivor.
Naming the central government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Air India as parties, the plea alleges that civil aviation rules are not being properly followed on commercial flights.
Calling it a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, the petitioner argues that the safety and security of passengers is a matter of the fundamental right to life.
In the interim, the plea urges the court to “suspend operation of Boeing aircraft of Air India, pending a safety audit within two weeks, in view of the recent crash and reported maintenance backlogs.”
The petition also calls for the DGCA to audit the fleets of all Indian airlines, including Air India, and publish the findings. It asks that fines be imposed on airlines found in violation of safety regulations.
The PIL demands that the government be directed to create new guidelines for periodic inspections of aircraft engines, airframes, and cabin systems.
The plea also cites passenger complaints reported on social media about faulty seats and malfunctioning air conditioning. The petitioner argues that aircraft with such complaints should not be allowed to fly.
In his petition, Bansal cited his experience on an Air India business class flight from Delhi to Chicago on May 20. He claimed the seats did not recline, entertainment systems weren’t working, and air conditioning was faulty. He said the airline later offered him Rs 10,000 as compensation.
The Supreme Court is yet to list the matter for hearing.
– Ends
With PTI inputs
