New Delhi: Air India recorded its highest rate of technical incidents in at least 14 months in January, according to an internal company document submitted to the Government of India, Reuters reports. The document highlights mounting operational pressures as the airline attempts an ambitious transformation.

The data shows that the Tata Group-owned carrier logged 1.09 technical incidents per 1,000 flights in January, a fourfold jump from 0.26 incidents per 1,000 flights recorded in December 2024. The figures, reviewed by Reuters, were submitted to the civil aviation authorities in February and are not publicly available.

In January alone, Air India operated more than 17,500 domestic and international flights and recorded 23 technical incidents. At least 21 of these cases were formally investigated by the airline.

The rise in incidents comes amid heightened regulatory and public scrutiny following a fatal crash last year that killed 260 people. Since then, the airline has reported multiple safety lapses and, in December, acknowledged the “need for urgent improvements in process discipline, communication, and compliance culture.”

India’s civil aviation ministry recently informed lawmakers that 82.5% of the 166 Air India aircraft it analysed since January 2025 had recurring technical defects. By comparison, market leader IndiGo reported recurring defects in 36.5% of its aircraft during the same period. The ministry did not disclose additional details about the nature or severity of these defects.

The January incidents at Air India included engine stall warnings, flight control and hydraulic system issues, as well as engine oil and fuel leaks. Five cases involved fuel or engine oil leak events.

In one instance, a Dubai–Mumbai flight discovered low engine oil levels upon arrival. In another, a Delhi–Dubai service on January 12 was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to the absence of water in the aircraft’s lavatory and galley systems.

Beyond technical faults, operational incidents also increased. The airline recorded 0.29 operational incidents per 1,000 flights in January, more than double the December level. These included rejected take-offs, incorrect take-off settings, and aircraft operating at restricted altitudes.

However, the company document noted that operational incidents have shown a declining trend in recent months despite the January spike.

Air India stated in its submission that “systemic improvements are being introduced across flight operations, training, engineering quality, and procedural oversight to prevent recurrence.”

In a statement to Reuters, the airline said it has undertaken a “comprehensive program to strengthen technical reliability” and increased its inventory of critical spare parts by more than 30 per cent to enhance aircraft availability and minimise disruptions. It also cited significant capital investment in engineering infrastructure and tooling.

The civil aviation ministry did not respond to media queries regarding the latest data.

The January report detailed several corrective measures. To address leakage-related issues, Air India has launched periodic inspection programmes for its Airbus A320 fleet and replaced all steering-system hydraulic hoses on its Boeing 777 aircraft. It has also implemented periodic air-conditioning leak checks and introduced targeted engineering actions aimed at improving aircraft reliability.

Air India’s operational issues have drawn attention beyond India. Britain’s aviation regulator recently sought clarification after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed London despite concerns about a potentially faulty fuel switch, according to a Reuters report.

In response, Air India reportedly reminded its pilots to adhere strictly to standard operating procedures and proactively replaced the aircraft’s throttle control module, according to a source familiar with the matter. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has not commented publicly.

The spike in technical incidents comes at a critical juncture for Air India. While the airline has committed to large-scale fleet renewal and operational reform, the latest figures underscore the complexity of modernising a legacy carrier that operated under state ownership for decades.

Industry observers note that sustained improvements in maintenance reliability, operational discipline, and safety culture will be central to restoring passenger confidence, particularly as the airline seeks to rebuild its international network and compete more aggressively in a rapidly expanding Indian aviation market.

Whether the January spike represents a temporary anomaly or a deeper systemic strain will likely become clearer in the months ahead. For now, the data serves as a reminder that Air India’s transformation journey remains a work in progress.