The tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has prompted swift action from the Indian government, resulting in the notification of new, stricter regulations concerning structures near airports. The crash, involving a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, claimed the lives of 241 people, including passengers and crew, and also caused fatalities on the ground as the aircraft impacted a medical college complex shortly after takeoff. The sole survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The crash has had a devastating impact, particularly on the Gujarati community, with many passengers on the flight hoping for a brighter future in the UK.
In response to the disaster, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has released the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions Caused by Buildings and Trees, etc.) Rules, 2025, effective once published in the Official Gazette. These rules aim to enhance aviation safety by ensuring strict adherence to prescribed height limits for buildings and trees in the vicinity of aerodromes, preventing future accidents caused by flight path obstructions. Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran also issued an apology for the crash.
Under the new regulations, if the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) or an authorized officer confirms a violation of height restrictions, owners of obstructing buildings or trees will be served a notice, requiring them to either demolish the structure or reduce its height within 60 days. A second 60-day extension may be granted under valid circumstances. Aerodrome officers are authorized to enter premises for physical verification during daylight hours after informing the owner. In cases of non-cooperation, officers may proceed based on available information and refer the matter to the DGCA. Continued non-compliance will be reported to the District Collector, who will be responsible for ensuring corrective action.
These new rules also introduce an appeal mechanism. Affected individuals can appeal to the First or Second Appellate Officer by submitting the prescribed form, supporting documents, and a fee. Compensation under Section 22 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, will only be available to those who comply with the orders. Structures erected in violation of the rules after the notification will not be eligible for any compensation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with assistance from the U.K., the U.S., and Boeing, has begun investigations into the crash, including studying the black boxes recovered from the wreckage to determine the cause. While the investigation is ongoing, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran stated that the flight had a clean history with no red flags raised during checks. He also addressed concerns about Air India's communication with passengers, acknowledging the need for improvement.
Several Air India flights have faced cancellations and delays since the crash, prompting the DGCA to call a meeting with Air India. The airline attributed a recent cancellation of a flight from Ahmedabad to London to "unavailability of the aircraft, resulting from airspace restrictions and additional precautionary checks, leading to longer than usual turnaround of aircraft."
