In a recent incident involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a comprehensive investigation following an unexpected deployment of the aircraft's Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during landing at Birmingham airport.

Incident Details

The incident occurred on Air India flight AI-117, operating from Amritsar to Birmingham. As the aircraft approached landing at an altitude of 400 feet, the crew received a RAT unlock message, indicating an unexpected activation of the emergency turbine. Despite this unusual occurrence, the aircraft landed safely without any reported handling issues or system failures.

DGCA's Response

In response to this incident, the DGCA has taken the following actions:

• Requested a detailed report from Boeing
• Launched a thorough investigation into the matter
• Asked Boeing to provide global data on similar incidents
• Sought information on service difficulty reports related to Power Conversion Module (PCM) changes

Air India's Actions

Following the incident, Air India has been instructed to:

• Review maintenance packages
• Reinspect RAT mechanisms across all 787 aircraft with recently replaced PCM modules

Technical Context

The Ram Air Turbine is an emergency device designed to deploy during total power loss scenarios. Its unexpected activation during a routine landing procedure has raised concerns and prompted this investigation.

Recent Technical Issues

This incident adds to a series of technical issues that have recently affected Air India's Boeing 787 fleet. In a separate occurrence, a Vienna-Delhi flight was diverted to Dubai due to multiple system malfunctions.

Safety Measures

Post-incident, Boeing's recommended maintenance checks were completed on the affected aircraft. No discrepancies were found, and the aircraft has since returned to service.

The DGCA's investigation and the measures taken by both the regulator and Air India underscore the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in aviation. As the investigation unfolds, it may provide valuable insights for enhancing the reliability and safety of Boeing 787 Dreamliners in service worldwide.

Air India, the Tata Group-owned carrier, is set to enhance its presence on the Delhi-London route by introducing an additional daily flight starting October 26. This strategic move will significantly increase the airline's weekly services and seat capacity, further solidifying its position as the largest carrier between India and the UK.

Expansion Details

The new flight will boost Air India's weekly services between Delhi and London from 24 to 28 flights. This expansion translates to an additional 1,196 seats each way per week, providing more options for travelers on this popular route.

Current Operations

Air India's operations between India and the UK are already substantial:

Route Network

Air India's extensive network connects multiple cities across both countries:

Fleet Deployment

The airline operates these routes using state-of-the-art aircraft:

• New Airbus A350-900
• Boeing 787-9

Market Position

With this expansion, Air India further cements its status as the largest carrier between India and the UK. The increased frequency and capacity on the Delhi-London route reflect the growing demand for air travel between the two countries and Air India's strategic response to meet this demand.

The addition of this new daily flight enhances connectivity and provides more flexibility for business and leisure travelers. This move represents a significant step in strengthening Air India's global network and improving its competitive position in the India-UK travel market.