Air France-KLM Reaffirms Confidence in Boeing 787 After Air India Crash
In a time of mourning and uncertainty for international aviation, Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith reiterated the group’s confidence in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, even after the tragic accident of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 240 lives. The incident, which occurred as the aircraft was taking off bound for London, is already considered the deadliest air disaster of the past decade.
“We Continue to Trust the Aircraft,” Says Ben Smith
During his speech at the Paris Air Forum, Ben Smith expressed condolences for the accident but was clear in emphasizing the group’s stance: “We continue to have confidence in the aircraft; Air France and KLM operate 34 units of the 787 in their fleet,” he stated. The Franco-Dutch group operates both the 787-8 and 787-9 variants, which form a strategic part of its long-haul network.
Smith noted that the accident is still under investigation, making it premature to draw conclusions about its causes. His statement aims to maintain operational stability and public and investor confidence in one of the flagship models of U.S. manufacturer Boeing.
→ Boeing to Focus on Customers, Innovation, and Partnership at Paris Air Show 2025
Condolences from the Industry: Airbus Also Speaks Out
At the same forum, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury also extended his condolences to the victims’ families. Though representing Boeing’s main competitor, Faury avoided any technical commentary and joined the collective respect for the victims and the need to await official investigation results.
Mandatory Inspections for Air India’s Fleet
Meanwhile, Indian authorities have acted swiftly. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered Air India to conduct safety inspections across its entire fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. The directive was issued on Friday and seeks to prevent potential similar failures as the official investigation progresses.
Experts Urge Caution
Aviation safety experts have been unequivocal: it is too early to speculate about the causes of the accident. The investigative process will require time, detailed technical analysis, and a review of the aircraft’s black boxes, if they have been recovered.
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