Pilot Sues Air India Over Emergency Oxygen Supply Concerns on Long-Haul Flights

A pilot sues Air India claiming that the airline operated certain B777-200LR aircraft on long-haul flights with insufficient emergency oxygen supplies. The lawsuit, which has sparked widespread attention, has prompted the Mumbai High Court to direct India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to investigate the claims.

The Pilot Refused to Fly for safety concerns

The legal battle began after the pilot, employed by Air India, raised concerns about the emergency oxygen supply on five B777-200LR aircraft leased from Delta Air Lines. According to the pilot, these aircraft carry emergency oxygen sufficient for only about 12 minutes, a duration that may not be adequate in case of a cabin depressurization event, especially when flying over mountainous regions.

The issue came to a head in January 2024, when the pilot refused to operate a flight from Bengaluru International to San Francisco, citing the safety risks posed by the oxygen supply. He insisted on a “safe route” being identified before undertaking the flight. His refusal led to immediate consequences, with Air India grounding and subsequently terminating his employment. The pilot then decided to take legal action, accusing the airline of endangering crew and passenger safety.

According to CH Aviation, Air India operates eight B777-200LR aircraft, of which five are affected by the emergency oxygen supply issue. The aircraft in question—VT-AEE (MSN 29739), VT-AEF (MSN 29741), VT-AEG (MSN 30440), VT-AEH (MSN 39091), and VT-AEI (MSN 39254)—were previously leased from Delta Air Lines. The remaining three aircraft, delivered directly to Air India, do not face this issue.

Despite the concerns, Air India has continued to use these aircraft on major routes, including flights from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai to San Francisco, and from Mumbai to New York Newark.

Mumbai High Court Steps In

Following the pilot’s lawsuit, the Mumbai High Court took notice of the allegations. On December 19, 2024, Justices B P Colabawalla and Somasekhar Sundaresa directed the DGCA to examine the claims and investigate the matter thoroughly. The court expressed concerns over the allegations and emphasized the need to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

This was not the first time the issue caught the attention of regulators. Earlier in 2024, the DGCA had fined Air India INR 1.1 million (approximately USD 12,850) for operating the aircraft outside regulatory and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) performance limits. The regulator had also ordered Air India to cease such practices, though the airline’s counsels maintain that they comply with all applicable safety norms.

• Featured image by Chris Lofting

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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