An Air India plane crashed in India, killing many, including British and Portuguese nationals, causing global concern.
A profound sorrow and concern has swept across the global aviation and tourism sectors today, following the tragic news of an Air India plane crash just minutes after its takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, went down in a residential area. All people aboard the aircraft are dead, except one British citizen.
The incident involves flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, an aircraft considered among the most modern and technologically advanced in airline fleets. The aircraft took off around 13:39 local time and, according to air traffic control, sent a “Mayday” distress call before all communication was lost. Videos and images circulating show thick black smoke and flames rising from the crash site, which is reportedly a doctors’ hostel.
Lucky seat 11A
40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was in seat 11A when the plane crashed. The passenger, who has lived in London for 20 years, was returning to the British capital after visiting family, and suffered injuries to his chest, eyes and legs, according to the Hindustan Times. He had been travelling to India with his brother, who was also on the plane and is still missing. “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so fast,” he said. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me,” he told local media, according to the Daily Mail. “I was scared. I got up and ran… There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed me, put me in an ambulance and took me to the hospital.”
International Dimension and Implications
The tragedy takes on an international dimension due to the nationalities of those on board. Air India confirmed that among the 242 individuals (217 adults and 11 children) were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and one Canadian. The presence of such a large number of European citizens, particularly from Britain, which is a significant tourism market for Greece as well, adds an extra layer to the tragedy.
The international community is watching developments with bated breath, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating he is “heartbroken” and ordering all possible assistance to the rescue efforts. Similarly, the British Foreign Office is working closely with Indian authorities to ascertain the facts and provide support to those affected. Ahmedabad Airport has suspended all flight operations.
Psychological Impact on the Travel Sector
For the travel and tourism industry, especially in Greece, which is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, such events, though rare, inevitably have a psychological impact. The safety of air travel is a fundamental parameter for traveler confidence. Although statistics show that air travel is among the safest forms of transportation, high-profile accidents can cause temporary anxiety and influence travelers’ decisions.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the Dreamliner, announced it is gathering information about the incident, and its shares fell. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, while having a “spotless safety record” before today’s tragedy, has faced various controversies in the past regarding manufacturing quality and safety issues.
Air India, now owned by the Indian conglomerate Tata Group, has activated an emergency center and support hotline for the families of the passengers.
First Boeing 787 crash
Today’s air tragedy in India marks the first time a Boeing 787 has crashed, according to a report in the Financial Times, citing data from the Aviation Safety Network.
In 2013, the entire Boeing 787 fleet was grounded due to fire incidents linked to lithium-ion batteries, which are part of the aircraft’s electrical system. This model is widely used by major airlines such as All Nippon Airways, British Airways and United Airlines.
Boeing, in an official statement, said: “We are aware of the initial reports and are working to gather additional information.”
Air India, one of the main users of the Boeing 787-8 model – the popular version of the Dreamliner – had a total of 27 such aircraft before the accident. The company had launched a major fleet modernization plan and in 2023 it ordered 470 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, in one of the largest deals ever made in the aviation industry.
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this unspeakable tragedy. The travel world is closely monitoring developments, awaiting the results of the investigation into the cause of the accident and the broader impact it may have on public confidence in air travel.