The long-awaited final report into the Air India crash that killed 158 people is facing further delays, deepening uncertainty for families and aviation experts across the UK who have been closely monitoring the investigation. The probe, led by Indian authorities, has entered a new phase of analysis that officials say is necessary to establish the full chain of events leading to the disaster last August.
UK-based aviation specialists, including those from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), were expected to receive a copy of the report this week. However, sources close to the inquiry now confirm the timeline has slipped, with no new date set for publication. The delay has frustrated British experts who have been providing technical assistance to the Indian investigation team. One senior UK analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We have been waiting for months. Each delay chips away at the confidence in the process. Families deserve answers, and the industry needs lessons to prevent this from happening again."
The crash, involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India, occurred during a landing attempt at Kozhikode airport in Kerala. The aircraft overshot the runway, plunging into a valley and bursting into flames. The majority of the victims were Indian nationals, but the flight carried a number of British passengers, some of whom were returning to the UK after visiting family.
For the families of the British victims, the wait has been unbearable. Sarah Morrison, whose brother died in the crash, told our reporter: "Every month we hear a new excuse. First it was data retrieval, then it was the complexity of the flight recorders. Now it is a 'wider investigation'. It feels like they are hiding something."
The Indian authorities have defended the extended timeline, citing the need for thoroughness. A spokesperson for the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said: "Ensuring the accuracy of the findings is our priority. We are also examining systemic issues that may have contributed to the accident." This wider scope is believed to involve reviews of pilot training, runway safety protocols, and Air India's maintenance procedures.
UK aviation unions have expressed concern over the delay, arguing that it undermines global safety standards. Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Aviation Workers Union, said: "The longer this drags on, the more lives are potentially at risk. If there are defects in the aircraft or errors in procedure, they need to be identified and fixed now."
Meanwhile, the cost of the investigation has raised eyebrows. Estimates suggest the probe has already cost more than £5 million, with additional expenses for expert consultations and travel. Some MPs have questioned whether UK taxpayers should continue to fund British involvement if the report continues to be postponed.
The delay also feeds into broader concerns about regional inequality in aviation safety oversight. Critics argue that developing nations often lack the resources to conduct speedy investigations, leaving Western experts and bereaved families in limbo. "This is a global industry," said Dr. Emily Hart, a transport safety researcher at the University of Manchester. "If we want consistent safety, we cannot treat investigations differently based on where the accident happens."
As the weeks stretch into months, the pressure mounts on all sides. The AAIB has declined to comment on the delay, referring queries to Indian authorities. But behind the scenes, UK experts are reportedly preparing to issue a statement urging a swift resolution. For the families, though, no statement can bring back their loved ones. They want the truth. And they want it now.
