Brief Summary
This episode of Deshbhakt discusses the Air India Flight 171 crash and the perceived lack of transparency from both the government and Air India regarding the incident. It highlights concerns about maintenance issues, information suppression, and the handling of the aftermath compared to international standards. The video also touches on the dismissal of flight attendants who raised safety concerns and the subsequent reduction in Air India's flight operations.
- Air India's maintenance practices were questionable prior to the crash.
- There's a lack of transparency from both Air India and the government regarding the crash details and victim information.
- Air India is reducing flight operations, raising questions about the timing and reasons behind the decision.
Air India's Maintenance Issues
Reuters released an exclusive report a week after the Air India Flight 171 crash, revealing that Air India had been neglecting maintenance. The report indicated that warnings were issued to Air India regarding their Airbus planes, specifically concerning the failure to check emergency exits. These issues date back to the previous year, with instances of delayed deployment and checks to the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), potentially leading to the cancellation of flight worthiness certificates. Air India's CEO acknowledged facing a shortage of international parts, hindering refurbishment and mid-life upgrades. In the past year, Air India and Air India Express incurred 12 fines out of 23 instances where airlines were penalised by government agencies and the DGCA, including a significant fine of $127,000 for insufficient oxygen on a flight to San Francisco.
Information Vacuum and Lack of Transparency
Bloomberg has highlighted the information vacuum created by Air India and the government following the crash. A week after the incident, the official toll and details about the victims on the ground remain unknown. While DNA identification is necessary, the delay in releasing official data raises concerns about a potential cover-up. Bloomberg's report contrasts this with how other countries handle similar incidents, such as the Jeju Air crash in South Korea, where multiple daily updates were provided, investigative efforts were communicated, and false rumours were refuted, culminating in a comprehensive report within a few months. The speaker contrasts this with the robotic message from Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, which mirrored speeches given by American Airlines executives.
Dismissal of Flight Attendants and Flight Reductions
Air India is cutting 15% of its flights, raising questions about whether this is related to the Middle East conflict. Two senior Air India flight attendants were allegedly dismissed after raising concerns about a malfunction that caused an emergency raft to deploy. They claimed the raft deployed due to a malfunction, not their error, but were pressured to change their statements. This incident, along with frequent flight malfunctions and pilot reluctance to fly, suggests a pattern of suppressed safety concerns. Air India will curtail operations to 16 international routes and suspend operations to 3 cities, impacting flights to destinations such as Delhi, Nairobi, Amritsar, and London.
Air India's Response and Government Inaction
Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, claims the flight reductions are a "confidence building measure," prompting questions about why these measures weren't taken earlier, such as during the airline's acquisition. The speaker questions whether Tata, the owner of Air India, was aware of the airline's aging fleet and unrefurbished engines. Tata is sending letters to its Mahindra club members, focusing on the airline's losses while the government fails to provide clear figures on ground victims. The speaker accuses Air India of dishonesty, pointing out that while they claim their aircraft are well-maintained, numerous flights are being cancelled daily. The speaker suggests pilots may be aware of issues that Air India is not disclosing and are refusing to fly due to safety concerns. The speaker criticises the perceived lack of value for human life in India and expresses disappointment that the government has not provided regular updates on the crash.
