Tokyo, June 14 - In response to a tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787-8, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has mandated inspections for all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Japanese carriers. The directive, issued on June 12, 2025, requires All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), and their low-cost subsidiaries AirJapan and Zipair to thoroughly examine the engines and airframes of their 787 fleets. This action follows the catastrophic loss of Air India Flight AI171, a 12-year-old 787-8 bound for London Gatwick, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025, claiming over 240 lives. The incident, marking the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has sent shockwaves through the global aviation industry, prompting heightened scrutiny of the aircraft’s safety record.
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Japan, a major operator of the 787 with over 130 aircraft in service across ANA and JAL, acted swiftly to ensure the continued airworthiness of its fleet. The MLIT’s order, as reported by Kyodo News, emphasizes a proactive approach, with Transport Minister Hiromasa Nakano stating that the ministry will collect data from these inspections and monitor ongoing investigations by Indian authorities. While the ministry has not suspended 787 operations, the inspections aim to identify any potential defects in engines or airframes that could compromise safety. This measured response reflects Japan’s significant stake in the 787 program, as Japanese companies supply approximately 35% of the aircraft’s components, including critical systems and structural elements.
In contrast, U.S. authorities, led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have refrained from grounding the 787 fleet, deeming such a step premature. At a briefing, Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau emphasized that no immediate safety risks have been identified to warrant a grounding. The FAA has deployed an expert team to collaborate with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Indian investigators to analyze the Ahmedabad crash. Rocheleau assured that any emerging risks would be addressed promptly, stating, “As we proceed with the investigation, if any information becomes available regarding any risk, we will mitigate those risks immediately.” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed this sentiment, cautioning against speculative judgments based on preliminary evidence or videos, noting that grounding decisions require substantiated data.
The Air India crash, India’s worst aviation disaster in decades, has intensified focus on the 787 Dreamliner, a technologically advanced widebody jet celebrated for its fuel efficiency and composite materials. Indian authorities, with support from the NTSB and FAA, are investigating the cause, with the aircraft’s black box and cockpit voice recorder expected to provide critical insights. The incident has also cast a shadow over Boeing’s commercial aircraft division, which plans a subdued presence at the upcoming Paris Air Show. As investigations continue, Japan’s inspections and the U.S.’s cautious stance highlight differing approaches to balancing safety and operational continuity in the wake of this tragedy.