UK demands urgent explanation regarding risky London departure decision

Serious safety questions are mounting for India’s flag carrier after British authorities threatened regulatory action over a recent flight incident. Britain's aviation regulator has officially demanded an explanation from Air India regarding why a Boeing Dreamliner was allowed to depart London despite looming concerns over a faulty fuel switch.

According to reports, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sent a stern letter to the airline on February 3. The document warns that regulatory measures could be taken against the carrier and its Air India Boeing 787 fleet if a satisfactory response is not provided within seven days. The core issue revolves around a flight that left the UK with a potentially defective component, only to be grounded immediately upon landing in India for urgent safety inspections.

This development follows a tense week for the airline. On Monday, an Air India Boeing 787-8 was removed from service after a pilot flagged a possible defect in the fuel control switch. An airline spokesperson confirmed that the pilot's report triggered immediate protocols. The aircraft was grounded, and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) was brought in to address the pilot's concerns on priority.

"Safety of our passengers and crew remains a top priority," the spokesperson stated, adding that the matter was promptly communicated to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline claims to have inspected fuel control switches across its entire Dreamliner fleet following a DGCA directive and found no widespread issues.

However, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) is calling for a deeper probe. FIP President Captain CS Randhawa has urged both the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to investigate potential electrical faults. He highlighted that this marks the third known instance of "uncommanded movement" of fuel control switches on this specific aircraft type.

Meanwhile, the DGCA issued a clarification on Tuesday regarding a similar incident involving aircraft VT-ANX. The regulator suggested that the switch movement from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" was likely caused by an external force applied in the wrong direction rather than a mechanical failure. As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on Air India’s response to the UK regulators.

With Agency Inputs