Waiting for AI-I71 crash probe report: Officials

Air safety in focus as key panel meets today

- Saubhadra Chatterji and Neha LM Tripathi

Aviation ministry and Air India officials told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday they are “eagerly waiting” for the preliminary investigation report into the June 12 crash that killed 260 people.

The Public Accounts Committee session, originally scheduled to discuss infrastructure fees and tariffs, instead became the first parliamentary meeting to address the Air India Flight 171 tragedy and broader aviation safety concerns.

The discussion came just days ahead of Friday's 30-day deadline forthe Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to report its preliminary findings into the crash of Flight 171, the cause of which is yet to be determined.

Several MPs highlighted multiple air safety incidents that have occurred since the Ahmedabad crash, with one Opposition member demanding a special audit of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the ministry's security ‘wing responsible for safety standards at airports nationwide, people aware of the matter said.