112 Air India Pilots Report Sick Leave After AI‑171 Crash: Aviation MoS Tells Lok Sabha
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In the days following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, more than a hundred Air India pilots took sick leave, the Government told the Lok Sabha on Thursday, 24 July. The incident has put fresh focus on pilot mental health , technical safety, and regulatory oversight within Indian aviation.
Spike in Sick Leave Following AI-171 Crash
Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, confirmed in a written reply that “Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2)." While such occurrences can happen following traumatic incidents, the scale of this increase drew attention in Parliament.
DGCA’s Mental Health Guidelines for Pilots
To address concerns about pilots’ mental health after such incidents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued a medical circular on 22 February 2023. This guideline provides quick and effective methods for DGCA empanelled medical examiners to assess pilots' mental health during Class 1/2/3 medical examinations.
The circular also recommends “a separate, standalone and customised training capsule for the flight crew/ATCOs to recognise and manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions.” This is part of a broader effort to create a safer, healthier working environment for aviation staff.
Peer Support Programme to Tackle Stress
The DGCA also advised organisations, including scheduled and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI, to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) for their employees. The goal of this proactive and non-punitive programme is to help flight crew and ATCOs recognise, manage and overcome mental health challenges. According to the Minister’s reply, these programmes should be accessible and facilitated by employers.
183 Technical Defects Reported by Airlines
In a separate reply, the Government disclosed that five Indian airlines reported 183 technical defects this year up to 21 July 2025. Among them, the Air India Group, including Air India and Air India Express, reported 85 defects. IndiGo reported 62, Akasa Air reported 28, and SpiceJet reported 8 technical defects. These statistics underline the continued need for stringent safety checks and maintenance.
Air India Receives Four Show-Cause Notices
Adding to Air India’s challenges, the DGCA issued four show-cause notices to the airline on 23 July. These notices relate to violations concerning “cabin crew rest and duty norms, cabin crew training rules and operational procedures.” Notably, these were based on voluntary disclosures made by Air India itself on 20 and 21 June.
An Air India spokesperson said, "We acknowledge receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last one year by Air India. We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers."
The notices also relate to crew training and operational issues linked to flights operated on 26 July 2024, 9 October 2024, and 22 April 2025.
What Lies Ahead
The sick leave surge, technical defect reports, and regulatory notices together reflect the pressures airlines face, especially after major incidents. While voluntary disclosures highlight a culture of transparency, the coming weeks will show how Air India addresses these challenges to reassure both regulators and the travelling public.
Spike in Sick Leave Following AI-171 Crash
Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, confirmed in a written reply that “Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2)." While such occurrences can happen following traumatic incidents, the scale of this increase drew attention in Parliament.
DGCA’s Mental Health Guidelines for Pilots
To address concerns about pilots’ mental health after such incidents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued a medical circular on 22 February 2023. This guideline provides quick and effective methods for DGCA empanelled medical examiners to assess pilots' mental health during Class 1/2/3 medical examinations.
The circular also recommends “a separate, standalone and customised training capsule for the flight crew/ATCOs to recognise and manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions.” This is part of a broader effort to create a safer, healthier working environment for aviation staff.
Peer Support Programme to Tackle Stress
The DGCA also advised organisations, including scheduled and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI, to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) for their employees. The goal of this proactive and non-punitive programme is to help flight crew and ATCOs recognise, manage and overcome mental health challenges. According to the Minister’s reply, these programmes should be accessible and facilitated by employers.
183 Technical Defects Reported by Airlines
In a separate reply, the Government disclosed that five Indian airlines reported 183 technical defects this year up to 21 July 2025. Among them, the Air India Group, including Air India and Air India Express, reported 85 defects. IndiGo reported 62, Akasa Air reported 28, and SpiceJet reported 8 technical defects. These statistics underline the continued need for stringent safety checks and maintenance.
Air India Receives Four Show-Cause Notices
Adding to Air India’s challenges, the DGCA issued four show-cause notices to the airline on 23 July. These notices relate to violations concerning “cabin crew rest and duty norms, cabin crew training rules and operational procedures.” Notably, these were based on voluntary disclosures made by Air India itself on 20 and 21 June.
An Air India spokesperson said, "We acknowledge receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last one year by Air India. We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers."
The notices also relate to crew training and operational issues linked to flights operated on 26 July 2024, 9 October 2024, and 22 April 2025.
What Lies Ahead
The sick leave surge, technical defect reports, and regulatory notices together reflect the pressures airlines face, especially after major incidents. While voluntary disclosures highlight a culture of transparency, the coming weeks will show how Air India addresses these challenges to reassure both regulators and the travelling public.
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