Air India, the leading carrier in India, is under scrutiny after facing safety issues in its past, particularly a serious incident in August 2020 where an Air India Express flight tragically overshot a runway in Kozhikode, resulting in the loss of two pilots and 19 passengers.
The airline was initially state-owned until 2022, when the Tata Group, one of India's top business giants, acquired it. Their chairman, N. Chandrasekaran, expressed heartfelt condolences following the recent crash and highlighted the airline's ongoing efforts to modernize operations and integrate smaller carriers to enhance Air India's standing.
However, Air India is stuck in a challenging position, as it competes with IndiGo for dominance in India’s growing domestic market, flying 91% of local passengers together. Obstacles remain in acquiring enough aircraft and pilots to fulfill expansion ambitions, which has buffered market confidence, leading to a drop in shares for Tata Group companies and IndiGo following news of the incident.
Safety concerns have historical roots, dating back to a decade-long period without fatal accidents until 2020. Past incidents included alarming events like a pilotless flight and an 11-hour search for rats that have raised eyebrows regarding the airline's operational reliability.
As investigations unfold, Air India has pledged full cooperation in their efforts to understand and resolve the safety issues at hand, emphasizing its commitment to improving flight safety and service quality in a rapidly evolving aviation market.
