Following widespread outrage over a video showing staff members celebrating at an office party, Air India SATS (AISATS) has taken swift action, resulting in the termination of four senior executives. The video surfaced shortly after the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 259 people.
AISATS, a 50-50 joint venture between Air India Limited (a Tata Group company) and SATS Ltd. (formerly known as Singapore Airport Terminal Services), provides airport services, including baggage handling. The company's Gurugram office hosted the party on June 20, and footage of the event quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking intense criticism due to its timing. The video showed Abraham Zachariah, chief operating officer of AISATS, along with other staff members, dancing as loud music played.
The public and social media users widely condemned the perceived insensitivity, with many pointing out that families of the crash victims were still grieving and awaiting the return of their loved ones' remains. The timing of the celebration was described as "tone-deaf and deeply insensitive".
In response to the backlash, AISATS issued a statement expressing solidarity with the families affected by the AI171 tragedy and regretting the "lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video". The company emphasized that the behavior seen in the video did not align with its values and that firm disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible. Besides the four terminations, several other employees involved in the event have also received warnings.
An AISATS spokesperson told NDTV, "At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with families affected by the tragic loss of AI 171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video". The spokesperson added, "The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm our commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability".
The Air India AI171 crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, impacting a residential campus of BJ Medical College. The accident resulted in 259 fatalities, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground, marking it as one of India's worst aviation disasters in recent decades. While initial reports stated 260 or 270 deaths, more recent sources confirm 259 fatalities.
AISATS was responsible for preparing the load sheet for the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick leg of the flight. The aircraft suffered a catastrophic engine failure shortly after takeoff.
