Air India is facing legal scrutiny after a pilot filed a lawsuit alleging deficiencies in the emergency oxygen systems aboard five Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, which were previously operated by Delta Air Lines. The issue revolves around the emergency oxygen systems aboard these aircraft, which are now serving on India-US routes. The Bombay High Court has responded by directing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, to investigate the emergency oxygen equipment on these planes, highlighting concerns over passenger and crew safety during flights.
The Boeing 777, a wide-body airliner, is commonly used for long-haul flights such as those between India and the United States, cruising at altitudes of between 30,000 and 40,000 feet. At these heights, the atmospheric pressure is too low to support human life, necessitating pressurized cabins. These pressurized environments simulate conditions at 8,000 feet above sea level, which ensures that passengers and crew can breathe comfortably and safely. However, if the cabin’s pressurization system fails, it can trigger a dangerous situation for everyone aboard.
In the event of such a failure, the aircraft’s emergency oxygen systems are activated. Oxygen masks deploy automatically from overhead panels for passengers to use. Simultaneously, pilots must initiate a rapid descent to an altitude of 10,000 feet, where breathable air is sufficient, and supplemental oxygen is no longer necessary. This descent is executed quickly, typically at a rate of 5,000 feet per minute, to minimize the risk to passengers and crew.
The lawsuit against Air India raises concerns that the emergency oxygen systems on these specific Boeing 777-200LR aircraft may not meet the necessary safety standards, especially considering that these aircraft were previously used by Delta Air Lines. The airline’s handling of these concerns will come under scrutiny as the DGCA investigation unfolds.
This case underscores the critical importance of ensuring that all commercial aircraft—especially those serving long-haul routes—are equipped with fully functional emergency systems. Failure to maintain these systems could have severe consequences, as any pressurization issue at high altitudes can quickly escalate into an emergency. As the DGCA looks into the matter, it will likely set precedents for how such cases are handled in India’s aviation sector, particularly with regard to aircraft safety and maintenance standards.
