New Delhi – Just four days after the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787-Dreamliner in Ahmedabad that killed 274 people, over 100 Air India pilots went on medical leave, junior Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol told Parliament on Thursday. The move, involving 51 Commanders and 61 Flight Officers, has highlighted growing concern over the mental health of flight crew, especially in the aftermath of aviation disasters.

Mr. Mohol stressed the urgent need for airlines to improve mental health assessments and peer support systems for pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCOs). As early as February 2023, airlines were directed to integrate customised mental health training and psychological evaluations into routine medical checkups.

Meanwhile, Air India is facing increasing regulatory pressure. The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has issued four new show-cause notices this week for violations involving crew rest, training protocols, and operational standards. These are part of 13 notices served over six months amid a string of serious safety incidents, including:

  • A fire in an A321 aircraft’s auxiliary power unit after landing in Delhi.

  • A Kochi-Mumbai flight veering off the runway.

  • A Delhi-Kolkata flight aborting take-off at high speed.

  • A Delhi-Mumbai Air India Express flight cancelling take-off due to speed display malfunction.

    • The Dreamliner tragedy is under intense investigation. A preliminary report suggested fuel cutoff switches were moved mid-air, causing engine shutdown—though the AAIB and US NTSB have condemned media speculation of intentional sabotage as “irresponsible.”

    Air India insists it remains committed to passenger and crew safety, and has responded to all regulatory notices. The final crash report is awaited.