Air India Boeing 787-8 Crash Report Due in 2026: What Will it Reveal?

December 28, 2025 at 06:50 AM•3 min read

India's AAIB is set to release the final Air India AI171 Boeing 787-8 crash report in 2026, a pivotal moment for safety and market stability after a turbulent year of disasters and

Key Points

1The final Air India AI171 Boeing 787-8 crash report is expected in 2026, following a preliminary finding of dual engine fuel cutoff shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025.
2Massive IndiGo flight cancellations in late 2025 resulted from poor planning for new DGCA Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules, leading to a 10% reduction in the airline's winter schedule.
3The Indian aviation sector is expanding capacity with the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport (Dec 2025) and the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jan 2026).
4Supply chain issues, pilot fatigue, and the domestic market duopoly remain critical challenges for airlines entering the new year.

The Indian aviation sector is looking toward 2026 for stability. The industry faced major turbulence throughout 2025. A key focus will be the final Air India AI171 crash report due next year. This report is expected to clarify the cause of the fatal accident. It will impact safety regulations and industry confidence.

The AI171 Investigation

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed on June 12, 2025. The flight was bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad. The disaster tragically killed 260 people.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report. It stated both engine fuel cutoff switches moved to 'CUTOFF'. This happened just one second apart after takeoff. Cockpit voice recordings captured pilot confusion. One pilot asked why the fuel was cut. The other pilot denied doing it.

The final aircraft accident investigation bureau findings are highly anticipated. They must resolve speculation on pilot action or aircraft issues. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu promised a clean, thorough process. The outcome will influence global operational standards for the 787-8.

Operational Challenges and Regulatory Scrutiny

Massive operational disruptions plagued the end of 2025. IndiGo flight cancellations stranded thousands of passengers. The chaos stemmed from poor planning for new DGCA Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. The revised FDTL rules aim to combat pilot fatigue rules India.

The DGCA reduced IndiGo's winter schedule by 10%.
Show-cause notices were issued to the airline's CEO and COO.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is probing the airline. This focuses on alleged unfair business ways.

This crisis highlighted the domestic market duopoly. IndiGo and the Air India Group control over 90% of the market. The DGCA has since approved new airlines. This move aims to boost competition in the skies.

Infrastructure and Market Growth

Despite the turbulence, infrastructure expansion continued. The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) began commercial operations. This major milestone occurred on December 25, 2025.

The Noida International Airport is also set to open soon. Flights are expected to begin in January 2026. These new airports will alleviate congestion. They will also support the country's rapid passenger traffic growth.

Carriers are still battling global supply chain woes. These issues keep 15-17% of the fleet grounded. The industry faces high operating costs and geopolitical airspace closures. Yet, India's large aircraft order book signals confidence. Industry leaders like IATA see India becoming a fantastic market. The year 2026 must focus on improving operational resilience. This is key to turning raw growth into sustainable flight. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.