An Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, with 242 passengers and crew on board, plunging families into grief and raising urgent questions about aviation safety. The disaster, one of India’s worst in decades, has left authorities scrambling to investigate, while locals mourn amid the wreckage of a tragedy that struck without warning.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, took off at dawn Thursday, reaching just 625 feet before crashing into a medical college hostel, exploding on impact, according to flight data. Gujarat police confirmed the site, but no survivors have been reported. The cause remains unclear, though speculation ranges from mechanical failure to external factors, given recent India-Pakistan tensions. “Our hearts are with the families,” said Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. The crash follows a May 2025 incident where Pakistan claimed to down Indian jets, though no link has been confirmed.
India’s aviation sector, booming with 300 million annual passengers, faces scrutiny. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation grounded 787s for checks, recalling a 2020 Air India crash that killed 21. Ahmedabad, a hub for 15 million travelers yearly, is reeling. Locals reported a “fireball” engulfing the hostel, complicating rescue efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed support, but critics question lax oversight, noting 30% of India’s fleet is over 15 years old.
Families are shattered. Mumbai’s Priya Shah, whose sister was onboard, said, “She was chasing her dream in London—now she’s gone.” Ahmedabad student Ravi Patel, near the crash, described chaos: “It shook our dorm.” Small businesses, like a nearby café, halted operations amid evacuations. Aviation expert Sanjay Gupta cautioned against early blame: “Boeing’s 787 is reliable, but maintenance and geopolitics can’t be ruled out.” A June 2025 poll shows 70% of Indians want stricter airline regulations.
The crash could ground Air India’s expansion, costing $500 million in losses, and dent tourism, a $200 billion industry. Small carriers face tighter scrutiny, squeezing margins. If linked to sabotage, it could escalate India-Pakistan tensions, already high after May’s Kashmir strikes. Critics argue India’s rush to scale aviation overlooks safety, citing underfunded regulators.
Investigators expect initial findings by July. Boeing pledged cooperation, but its stock fell 7.5%. Global carriers may avoid Indian airspace if tensions rise, hiking fares 10%. “This is a wake-up call,” Gupta said. For now, Ahmedabad grieves, its skies quieter as a nation searches for answers.
