Following the tragic crash of an Air India aircraft shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, the Tata group airline’s CEO Campbell Wilson expressed “deep sorrow”, saying that it was a difficult day for everyone at Air India. In his first statement since the Tuesday afternoon crash, Wilson said that the carrier’s teams are working around the clock to support the passengers, crew, and their families as well as investigators, apart from working closely with authorities at the accident site to assist in emergency response efforts. He also said that while investigations will take time, the airline is doing everything it can to support those affected.
Meanwhile, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced that the Tata group will provide Rs 1 crore to the families of those who perished in the crash, and will cover all medical expenses of the injured.
An Air India aircraft with 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew—on board crashed into a residential area near the Ahmedabad airport Tuesday afternoon, resulting in numerous casualties. The exact number of dead and injured is not clear yet.
The 11-year-old Boeing 787 aircraft—bearing registration VT-ANB—was operating flight AI-171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick airport. This is the first wide-body crash for an Indian airline in four decades. It is also the first crash of a Boeing 787 globally. According to flight tracking data, the signal from the aircraft was lost at an altitude of just 625 feet, moments after take-off. It then descended with a vertical speed of 475 feet per minute and crashed. According to aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilots gave a Mayday call to the Ahmedabad airport air traffic control (ATC) upon take-off, after which it crashed outside the airport perimeter.
“We are actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts. A special team of caregivers from Air India is on their way to Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now we are doing. We know that many people are concerned for the welfare of their loved ones. We have set up a special helpline that friends and family can reach us at the number is 1800-569-1444,” Wilson said in a video statement.
“We understand that people are eager for information. Please know that we will continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can, but anything we report must be accurate and not speculative. We owe that to everyone involved. For now, our teams are working around the clock to support passengers, crew and their families as well as investigators however we can,” the Air India CEO added.
Wilson said that while there are many questions around the crash, he was not in a position to answer all of them at thisi stage.
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“…but I do want to share the information we have at this time, Air India flight AI-171 operated with a Boeing 787-8 aircraft traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick has been involved in an accident after take-off…Of the passengers, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals. There are seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian National. The injured passengers have been taken by local authorities to the nearest hospitals,” Wilson said.
In a statement posted on the official handle of the Tata group on X, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said that the conglomerate was “deeply anguished by the tragic event” involving the ill-fated Air India flight.
“No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured. Tata Group will provide ₹1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical’s hostel (damaged due to the plane crash),” Chandrasekaran said.
“We remain steadfast in standing with the affected families and communities during this unimaginable time,” the Tata Sons chairman added.
