Air India Confirms 275 Deaths in Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Ahmedabad, Gujarat  — The full magnitude of the Ahmedabad plane crash 2025 continues to unfold, as Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed that 275 people have died in the tragic crash of Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025 in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad. Among the dead are 241 passengers and crew members onboard the flight and 34 people on the ground.

As families mourn the devastating loss, authorities at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital are still carrying out DNA matching to identify victims. So far, 259 deceased individuals have been identified, and 256 bodies have been handed over to grieving families.

In a heartfelt email addressed to members of the Air India Maharaja Club, CEO Campbell Wilson expressed the airline’s profound sorrow. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members and 34 people on the ground. Words fall short for the families and loved ones affected by this devastating incident.”

Wilson reiterated the airline’s unwavering commitment to providing all possible assistance to the affected families and pledged full cooperation with authorities to ascertain the cause of this immense tragedy. He emphasized Air India’s paramount priority on safety, a resolve reinforced since the airline’s management takeover in 2022.

Addressing concerns about the aircraft and crew, the CEO provided critical facts. The ill-fated flight was commanded by Captain Sumit Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 10,000 hours of flying VD-body aircraft. First Officer Clive Kunder also boasted a commendable 3,400 hours of flight experience. Furthermore, Wilson stated that the aircraft was meticulously maintained, with its last major service in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. Both the right engine, refurbished in March 2025, and the left engine, inspected in April 2025, had undergone regular checks with no issues noted prior to the flight. “These are the facts we have come to know today. We, and the entire aviation industry community, await the detailed investigation report into this accident,” Wilson stated.

In the wake of the devastating incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an order on June 14, 2025, mandating a comprehensive safety check on all 33 of Air India’s Boeing 787 aircraft. To date, 26 aircraft have been inspected and cleared for service. The remaining aircraft are currently undergoing national servicing and will only be reintroduced into service after thorough inspection. The DGCA has also affirmed that Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet and its maintenance procedures adhere fully to safety standards.

However, these crucial safety measures have inevitably impacted Air India’s operational schedule. Wilson acknowledged that the additional time required for these checks, coupled with the closure of airspace over Iran and parts of the Middle East, night-time restrictions at some international airports, and other technical issues, have further disrupted their long-haul service network.

To manage these disruptions and ensure continued trust, Air India has decided to not only continue additional pre-flight safety checks on Boeing 787 aircraft but also implement these stringent checks on their Boeing 777 fleet. Consequently, the airline has opted to reduce its international wide-body flight schedule by approximately 15% from June 20, 2025, until at least mid-July. This reduction aims to ensure readily available backup aircraft should the need arise.

Wilson extended a heartfelt apology for the inconvenience caused by these immediate schedule changes. “We understand that this immediate change in schedule may affect your travel plans and we apologize for this. If your flight is affected, we will contact you directly and offer a rebooking or full refund. We will share the revised international schedule in the next few days.”

The CEO concluded his message by acknowledging the challenging times for all involved, expressing appreciation for cooperation and understanding, and reiterating that safety remains Air India’s absolute top priority. “Your trust is everything to us. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us through our customer service channels,” he urged.