NEW DELHI/HONG KONG /PARIS – Just days after the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171 – a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner – in Ahmedabad on 12 June that killed at least 241 people onboard and over 30 on the ground, Boeing has seen its presence at the Paris Air Show dramatically undermined . The company notably refrained from announcing any new orders, and senior executives including CEO Kelly Ortberg withdrew from the event.
Air India Crash Investigation Advances
Indian investigators have dispatched the damaged flight and cockpit voice recorders to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board lab, with UK experts also involved. Preliminary findings suggest activation of the emergency Ram Air Turbine, raising red flags over dual engine failure. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is conducting nationwide safety audits and demanding crew and training documentation.
Air India Scales Back Wide‑body Flights
Air India has announced a 15 percent scaling‑back of its wide‑body international services through mid‑July to accommodate heightened inspections. So far, 26 of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft have been cleared for service. Vulnerabilities go beyond aircraft, with DGCA issuing safety warnings regarding escape slide inspections on Airbus jets.
Second Air India Dreamliner Incident Raises Safety Concerns
Just days after a devastating crash involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that claimed at least 271 lives, the airline has faced another alarming incident. According to the Indian news agency ANI, a separate Dreamliner flight en route from Hong Kong to New Delhi was forced to return to its departure airport on Monday following a suspected technical malfunction mid-flight.
Citing unnamed sources, ANI reported that the aircraft—also a 787-8 model manufactured by Boeing—turned back due to a technical irregularity detected during its ascent. No official details regarding the nature of the issue or the number of passengers onboard have been released so far. The incident further intensifies scrutiny of Boeing’s Dreamliner fleet, particularly in India, where aviation authorities have already ordered a comprehensive inspection of all 787 aircraft operated by domestic carriers.
The back-to-back occurrences have prompted renewed debate over the safety and reliability of the 787 series amid ongoing investigations into the cause of last week’s fatal crash in Ahmedabad.
Airbus Reaps Rewards—Over $21 billion in Deals, 250+ Jets Ordered
Amid Boeing’s withdrawal, Airbus secured more than $21 billion in orders at Le Bourget, totaling over 250 jets. Notable contracts include Riyadh Air’s purchase of 25 A350‑1000s, AviLease’s multi‑aircraft order, VietJet’s 100‑jet pre‑order, and LOT’s deal for 40 A220s.
Airbus Boosts Shareholder Returns, Upholds Growth Outlook
Airbus announced plans to increase its dividend payout ratio to up to 50 percent—rising from the previous 30–40 percent range—to reward shareholders. The company reaffirmed its full‑year outlook, projecting adjusted EBIT of ~€7 billion (vs. €5.35 billion in 2024) and maintaining a target free‑cash‑conversion ratio of 1 over five years . Its stock rose approximately 2 percent on the Paris exchange . (zai)