The recent crash of Air India flight 171 in Ahmedabad has drawn sharp reactions, including criticism from a former aviation minister. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025, resulting in a tragic loss of life. Initial reports indicate 241 fatalities out of the 242 passengers and crew members on board.
The former aviation minister, whose name has not been released in latest news reports, reportedly slammed what they perceived as "ignorance" on the part of Singapore Airlines, a stakeholder in Air India. This criticism seemingly stems from concerns regarding safety protocols and maintenance standards within the airline.
While the specific details of the minister's statement remain somewhat vague in current reports, the underlying sentiment points to deeper questions surrounding the operational management and oversight of Air India, particularly in light of its partnership with Singapore Airlines. Some reports mention internal strife within Tata, after it took over Air India, along with Singapore Airlines becoming involved, which led to cost cutting measures. The former aviation minister questions if valuable AI senior engineers were let go and if this could have affected operations maintenance checks.
The crash has prompted immediate action from the Indian government. A high-level, multi-disciplinary committee, headed by the Home Secretary, has been formed to investigate the causes of the crash. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu has stated that the committee has been given a three-month deadline to submit its findings. The investigation will encompass a thorough examination of all potential factors, including technical aspects, human error, and weather conditions. The black box has been recovered and is being decoded which will provide crucial data.
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations at the crash site have been ongoing. Authorities have been working to recover and identify the victims, a challenging task given the severity of the impact and fire. DNA testing is being utilized to identify the remains, and efforts are underway to provide support and counseling to the families of the deceased. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of air travel in India. However, it is important to note that India generally has a strong aviation safety record. The former aviation minister in another report stated that the "Indian skies are safe as anywhere else in the world" and assured that DGCA safety standards are robust.
