Home » AIRLINE NEWS » DGCA Orders Airlines to Check Fuel Switches on Boeings Aircraft
Monday, July 14, 2025
In a significant move to reinforce aviation safety, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, has directed all Indian airlines to inspect the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on their Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 aircraft. The order was issued on July 14, 2025, with a deadline of July 21, 2025, for airlines to complete the inspections. This directive follows a recent investigation into an incident involving Air India and highlights the DGCA’s proactive approach to ensuring the safety of passengers flying on these aircraft.
This new order stems from safety concerns raised after a crash involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 12, 2025, which tragically resulted in the loss of 241 lives. Early reports from the investigation indicated that the aircraft’s engines lost thrust due to a movement in the fuel control switches from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position, causing a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. This incident underscored the importance of fully functional locking mechanisms on the fuel switches, and the DGCA’s directive is aimed at preventing such occurrences in the future.
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This move also demonstrates the aviation regulator’s commitment to upholding global safety standards and protecting travelers, ensuring that all commercial flights, particularly those operating on these popular aircraft models, are safe and secure.
The main focus of the latest order of the DGCA is to check the functioning of the fuel control switch locking systems of all Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 planes of Indian carriers. They’re vital to managing the fuel flow in the engines. If the switches get bumped from the “RUN” position to the “CUTOFF” position while in the air, the engines lose fuel and all power ceases.
These switches are locked expressly to avoid this type of inadvertent movement. It’s unclear how much of a safety issue loose door latches would cause on these jets, but the DGCA has ordered checks to take place on IndiGo’s A321neo fleet immediately to “verify whether all the door locking systems are functioning properly”. Carriers are supposed to inspect the devices for damage or tampering that could compromise the safety of the flight. This is intended to catch any problems before they become catastrophic failures.
Airlines are also advised to carry put the necessary tests and send the compliance report to DGCA indicating that all aircraft that are affected in india have been subjected to the requisite safety checks. The regulator has also emphasized that if its orders are not complied with, sanctions and more scrutiny of an airline’s operational methods will follow.
That is likely to impact both airlines and fliers, especially on B-787 and B-737 aircraft that operate domestic and international flights. The DGCA’s safety orders are absolutely important, however, the inspections could — with the snap of a finger — ground affected aircraft temporarily until the checks are completed. This could mean delays and cancellations, especially for planes that are particularly dependent on these models.
Impact on Indian Airlines
Major Indian carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet as well as Air India that use the Boeing 737 and 787 planes will have to move fast to ensure that this check is done properly. The airlines will be working with their respective maintenance providers to conduct the inspections and correct any issues discovered.
The inspections are necessary for safety, but they likely will cause some short-term disruptions to flight schedules. For example, Air India has a large long haul fleet of Boeing 787s, and if these planes were grounded, routes to major international hubs such as New York, Dubai and London may be impacted. IndiGo, which flies a combination of Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s, will also have to reassign flights to ensure passengers are least inconvenienced.
Passenger Impact and Flight Cancellations
For passengers, this means they will have to remain alert to potential flight cancellations or delays. Travelers who had flights scheduled on Boeing 737 or 787 aircraft can check their airline’s website for the most recent information. Airlines are on the whole delivering real-time updates via e-mails, text messages and their official apps. A number are waiving change fees and providing refunds to passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed significantly.
Passengers are advised to contact their airlines in advance and to check the status of their flights. The regulator has also advised alternative routes and airports to travelers who were scheduled to travel on affected routes to ease congestion at the big airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
India’s decision to conduct the inspections of the Boeing 737 and 787 is in line with measures taken by aviation regulators around the world. In response to incidents with fuel switches on Boeing plane jets, many countries, including the United States, Europe and Canada, have issued similar instructions to airlines that operate Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft. This is to include a requirement for fuel switch locking mechanisms to be examined as well as additional pilot training to ensure that the correct fuel is used and training on how to respond to such a emergency will also be provided.
Both the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have already issued advisories for airlines to do exactly that, again showing a global commitment to making air travel as safe as it could possibly be. The DGCA’s instruction also is consistent with the international standard in aviation safety and the cooperation of countries toward a common safety goal.
Although the directives of the sort may cause temporary timetable disruptions, they ultimately make the aviation industry healthier by tackling vulnerabilities before they become disastrous. “This continued work on safety is a critical part of restoring public confidence in air travel, and making sure flying remains one of the safest ways to get around the world.”
Passengers impacted by the delays as a result of the DGCA ruling should:
Monitor Flight Status: Travelers should monitor their airline’s flight status and get updates, as airlines continue to update schedules and flight times.
Consider Other Airports: If your flight is cancelled or there’s a very long delay, you may be redirected to other airports nearby, like Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata where there are flights out.
Stay connected with airlines: Most airlines are giving passengers the choice to rebook on a future flight, and some are even offering the option to receive a full refund from a canceled flight. Hang on to all receipts for expenditures made as a result of your cancelled flight.
Choose travel Insurance: Again, always better safe than sorry and getting insurance which also covers flight cancellations and delays is important, especially for situations like these when disruptions are known and anticipated.
The DGCA’s preemptive order to check fuel control switches in Boeing 737 and 787 planes is illustrative of its conscientiousness in ensuring passenger safety. Although an annoyance to our disrupted travel plans — we can postpone our miles-earning trip to 2013 — affected passengers realize that the positive implications for upcoming generations will be immeasurable. It’s important for travelers to recognize that without such non-negotiable safety protocols, there cannot be safe air travel, and the industry’s dedication to safety will help rebuild trust in air travel.
Following the investigations of the Air India crash we must all work to ensure we take lessons from previous events and work to improve the safety for the future. This, as well as the persistent scrutiny of regulatory bodies such as DGCA, ensures that something as mundane as sitting through a flight is as safe an experience as it can possibly be.
Let delays and cancellations be an inconvenience, albeit temporary, a small price to pay for a safer and better flying experience for all.
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