Saineeta Chakravarti, a 35-year-old senior cabin crew member, was one of the many lives lost when Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when it plummeted within seconds, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.
Based in Mumbai’s Juhu Koliwada, Saineeta lived with her parents in Matthew Chawl. When NTT visited the family, her mother, visibly grief-stricken, opened the door. Spotting a press badge, she asked quietly, “Are you a journalist?” before adding, “We are not in a state to speak with anyone right now.”
Since the tragedy, several of Saineeta’s Air India colleagues have remained by the family’s side, offering emotional support. One such colleague, who has served as a cabin crew member for eight years, shared serious concerns about the airline’s safety practices and maintenance protocols.
“Why is no one asking questions to Air India?” Why is the airline not being held accountable?” he told NTT under conditions of anonymity.
He alleged that technical issues are routine on Air India flights, but complaints are frequently overlooked. “The condition of Air India flights is extremely poor. Every time we fly, we face some technical issue. Yet, nothing changes,” he told NTT. “The reports may say there was no fault with the Boeing aircraft, but as someone who flies regularly, I can tell you the issue lies in the flight’s maintenance," he added.
Crew members are expected to file technical feedback after each flight, which is then passed on to engineers. But the crew member claimed these warnings are routinely ignored. “The problems are reported, but no action is taken. The result is what you see today," he said.
In addition, he said that he is not alone in raising these concerns, stating, “Many of us have filed similar complaints over the years, but no one tells us what happens to them. We never get a response. We are left in the dark.”
Another pressing concern, he said, is the lack of communication from aviation authorities. “Why is the DGCA not disclosing information about the black box? It’s extremely important. Why is that being kept from us?”
Highlighting the risks crew members face, he said, “We are the first line of safety onboard. We fly with these issues. We raise our concerns. But in the very next flight, another maintenance problem shows up. How long will this continue?” he asked.
