New Delhi, February 25 - Air India has encountered a notable rise in technical incidents, with fuel leaks and related issues reaching a 14-month high in January. According to internal company data submitted to the Indian government, the carrier recorded 1.09 technical incidents per 1,000 flights during the month, marking a fourfold increase from 0.26 per 1,000 flights in December 2024. This spike occurred amid over 17,500 flights operated across domestic and international routes, highlighting growing concerns about fleet reliability during a period of ambitious expansion and recovery efforts.
The reported technical snags encompassed a range of problems affecting both Airbus and Boeing aircraft in the fleet. These included engine stall warnings, flight control malfunctions, hydraulic system faults, and notably engine oil and fuel leaks. Specifically, five incidents involved fuel or engine oil leaks, such as one Dubai-Mumbai flight where low engine oil quantity was discovered upon arrival. Another case saw a Delhi-Dubai departure return shortly after takeoff due to unrelated onboard service issues, underscoring broader operational challenges documented in the reports.
Fuel leaks and engine oil leaks have drawn particular attention as key contributors to the elevated incident rate, reflecting potential vulnerabilities in maintenance and component performance across the mixed fleet. Aviation authorities have separately noted that inspections of Air India aircraft since January 2025 revealed recurring technical defects in a significant portion of the fleet, emphasizing the need for sustained improvements in engineering standards and preventive protocols to ensure safe operations.
In response to the January surge, Air India has implemented targeted measures to address these concerns. The airline has initiated periodic inspection programs for its Airbus A320 aircraft to detect and prevent leaks, while replacing hydraulic hoses on Boeing 777 models as part of efforts to enhance reliability. These steps aim to mitigate risks and support long-term safety enhancements as the carrier navigates increased scrutiny from regulators and pursues its strategic growth objectives in the competitive aviation sector.