New Delhi/Gujarat: In a somber address to the nation, Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, accompanied by Minister of State Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Secretary of Civil Aviation Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, and other senior officials, held a press conference at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi, to update on the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI171. The session began with a minute of silence in honor of the 242 souls lost in the tragic incident, as the nation continues to mourn.
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AI171 Crash: The Incident
On the morning of June 12, 2025, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. The aircraft went down within a minute in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated civilian locality. Tragically, all 242 people onboard—230 passengers, 10 cabin crew members, and 2 pilots—perished.
Many of the victims were young medical students from the area, casting a deep emotional shadow over the loss, which the Minister described as “a loss of future brilliance and national potential.”
Swift Government Action: Visits, Relief & Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally visited the crash site and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he met with the injured and bereaved families. He also chaired a high-level review meeting at the airport to oversee relief measures.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived promptly after the tragedy, directing agencies for immediate action and coordination. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and MoS Shri Murlidhar Mohol also reached the site, offering condolences and overseeing operational response in collaboration with central and state officials.
Emergency Coordination and Helplines
Within hours, the Ministry of Civil Aviation activated a 24×7 Emergency Control Room staffed by the DGCA, AAI, BCAS, and CISF. A parallel Media Control Room was launched at the National Media Centre to ensure information flow.
Helplines were made operational:
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Ahmedabad Airport Emergency Helpline: 9974111327
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MoCA Control Room: 011-24610843 / 9650391859
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Air India Helpline: 1800-5691-444
Senior officials from DGCA, AAIB, and Air India were mobilized to the site for coordination.
Support for Families of Victims
The government has directed Air India Management to ensure full-scale support to affected families, including:
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Immediate ex-gratia payments
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Dedicated assistance teams at both Ahmedabad and Gatwick
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Help with travel, documentation, and hospital procedures
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Deployment of senior Air India officials to aid affected families
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Support cell at Gatwick for international next-of-kin
The Minister emphasized that this crisis must be addressed not merely as a bureaucratic challenge, but as a humanitarian emergency.
Investigations Underway
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a formal probe on June 12, dispatching a five-member GO team led by the AAIB Director General. Forensic and technical experts have since joined the investigation.
A breakthrough came on June 13, with the recovery of the aircraft’s black box, which will provide critical data to decode the flight’s final moments.
High-Level Inquiry Committee Formed
A High-Level Committee, chaired by the Union Home Secretary, has been constituted to conduct a multi-dimensional inquiry. Members include:
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Ministry of Civil Aviation
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DGCA, BCAS, AAI
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Indian Air Force, IB
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Gujarat Government
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State Disaster Management
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National & State Forensic Labs
Committee Objectives:
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Examine all aspects—technical, operational, and systemic
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Identify regulatory or institutional lapses
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Submit a comprehensive report within 3 months
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Recommend long-term reforms in aviation safety, air traffic control, crew training, and certification systems
Aircraft Safety Checks Initiated
The DGCA has ordered urgent inspections of all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft equipped with Genx engines. So far, 8 out of 33 Dreamliners in Indian fleets have been inspected; the rest are undergoing urgent checks.
Maintenance surveillance across all wide-body aircraft operating in India has been intensified.
Reaffirming India’s Aviation Safety Standards
Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reiterated that India remains internationally recognized for its aviation safety framework. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has consistently rated India’s aviation regulatory systems as robust, transparent, and effective.
He assured the nation that the government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring accountability, safety, and justice.
Call for Patience and Responsible Reporting
The Ministry appealed to the public and the media to refrain from speculation, misinformation, or circulation of unverified content. All official updates will be shared in a transparent and timely manner. The government’s focus remains on truth, reform, and justice for all those affected.
Conclusion
The crash of AI171 is a stark reminder of the fragility of human life and the critical importance of robust aviation systems. With the initiation of multi-layered investigations and immediate reforms, the Government of India is taking all necessary steps to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the systemic improvements required to ensure such a tragedy never recurs.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
