Air India is facing a major crisis of confidence among fliers following the deadly crash of one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad last week. The tragic accident, which claimed 241 out of 242 lives on board, has shaken public trust and significantly impacted the airline’s business.
In the aftermath of the crash, ticket bookings for Air India have reportedly dropped by 30–35%, while cancellation rates have spiked. Multiple travel agencies have confirmed this alarming trend, with customers increasingly opting for other airlines despite not cancelling their travel plans altogether.
Madhav Ojha, head of Blue Star Air Travel Services (India), told NDTV that new bookings for Air India have seen a sharp decline, saying, “Booking numbers have dropped 30–35% since the crash. The fear among passengers is very real.” Govind Gaur of WonderOn, another travel agency, added that while the cancellation rate may not exceed 20%, it is clearly on the rise. “Many travelers are now actively choosing other airlines,” he said.
What’s striking is that this sharp decline in public confidence seems to be specific to Air India. Travel operators note that other airlines haven’t seen a comparable impact. The fear stems from two factors: the brand name ‘Air India’ and the aircraft involved — Boeing’s Dreamliner series.
Passengers are especially wary of Boeing aircraft after the Ahmedabad crash, despite the Boeing 787-8 being previously hailed as one of the safest commercial aircraft since its debut in 2011. Aviation experts note that this incident was the first time the model was involved in such a high-fatality accident.
In response to the growing concerns, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a full technical audit of all Dreamliner aircraft in Air India’s fleet. The airline currently operates 26 Boeing 787-8 and 7 Boeing 787-9 planes. Air India stated that safety inspections of the 787-8 fleet have been completed, while checks on the 787-9 aircraft are ongoing.
Adding fuel to the public’s anxiety, several of Air India’s flights have been canceled over the past few days due to technical issues, including engine malfunctions and mid-air turnbacks. Reports suggest that at least nine flights — most of them operated with Dreamliner jets — were grounded in the past 48 hours alone.
While Boeing’s Dreamliners were once celebrated for their cutting-edge design and safety record, the recent crash and subsequent string of technical hiccups have left a lasting dent in their reputation, especially within the Indian market.
Industry observers believe it will take considerable effort, transparency, and assurance from both Air India and regulatory authorities to restore public trust in the airline and its fleet.
