New Delhi: After facing criticism for not being present during the funeral of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, commander of ill-fated flight AI171 that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has written a long mail to the staff of the airline on Friday, stating the company’s stand on several issues.
“We continue to mourn for the lives lost in the AI171 tragedy, and to support those who have been affected. Around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew and those on the ground. Progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure,” Wilson wrote.
He said that Air India will continue supporting those affected long after the work in Ahmedabad is done.
“As our Chairman has said, these families are now Tata families. This is equally true for those of our colleagues, who we will support in the same way. You may have read social media commentary on the perceived lack of visibility of Air India at the services held for our colleagues. I can assure you that we have had senior representation at each and every one. We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect,” he mentioned.
According to him, Air India is also supporting those staff who have served in Ahmedabad upon their return to base with a mandatory break and counselling. The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone. He has encouraged all staff members to avail of it.
“Over the last week I have met many of you in small groups. Many of you have asked similar questions: What happened? There are many theories but, as the accident is now under official investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), it is not appropriate for us to comment or speculate. We are providing all information requested by the AAIB and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them,” he wrote.
On when the report will be available, Wilson informed that it is completely up to the AAIB. The final report can take many months, though the AAIB may choose to issue interim updates or reports.
“If there is any discovery during the investigation that suggests airlines or suppliers need to change something urgently, we have confidence that such information would be shared quickly. For our part, we will be transparent with what is shared with us,” Wilson assured.
On whether Air India aircraft have been deemed safe, the CEO said: “Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards. We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft – of any type – for service.”
Wilson attributed additional pre-flight checks to reduced flights. Such checks reduce the number of hours aircraft are available to operate, he said. In addition to this, the extra flight time arising from new airspace closures in the Middle East, on top of Pakistan’s closure of its airspace, is behind the airline’s decision to reduce the amount of flying over the coming weeks. The flights will be progressively restored when the time is right, he said.
“Will there be any impact on our future plans? This has been a tragic event and we will learn whatever we can from it so that we are stronger in future. However, our aim in every respect, be it safety, quality, service, scale, reach, professionalism or any other dimension, remains the same if not higher than before. We continue to have the full support of both shareholders,” Wilson wrote.
