**Air India Honors Crew Members Lost in Tragic AI 171 Crash**
In a heartfelt tribute, Air India commemorated its ten crew members who tragically lost their lives in the AI 171 crash on June 12. The airline shared a poignant message on its official social media account, expressing deep sorrow: “With hearts full of sorrow, we remember the cabin crew members we lost – beloved colleagues, cherished friends, and the soul of every journey they were a part of.”
This statement was released by Air India and the Tata Group eight days following the disaster that claimed a total of 274 lives. On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London and carrying 242 passengers, crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport at approximately 1:35 PM.
Describing the crew as “family,” the message honored the ten cabin crew members: Aparna Amol Mahadik, Shradha Mahadev Dhavan, Deepak Balasaheb Pathak, Irfan Samir Shaikh, Lamnunthem Singson, Maithili Patil, Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, Saineeta Abin Chakravarti, Manisha Thapa, and Roshni Rajendra Songhare. The tribute concluded with the heartfelt sentiment, “You flew with compassion. You will be remembered with love.”
The Tata Group and Air India expressed their profound grief over the loss of these dedicated crew members, recognizing their invaluable contributions both personally and professionally. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, conveyed his deep regret regarding the accident, stating, “It is an extremely difficult situation where I have no words to express to console any of the families of those who died. I deeply regret that this accident happened in a Tata-run airline. And I feel very sorry.”
Chandrasekaran also announced the establishment of an ‘AI-171 Trust’ aimed at providing long-term support, including financial assistance, to the affected families. In a letter to Tata Group employees, he referred to June 12 as “one of the darkest days in the group’s history,” emphasizing the incomprehensibility of losing so many lives at once.
In the wake of this devastating incident, Air India has announced a 15% reduction in wide-body international flights until mid-July, a decision influenced by stricter checks from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the closure of Iranian airspace. Additionally, the aviation ministry has set a 60-day deadline for airport owners to report illegal structures near airports prior to demolition.
**FAQ**
**What happened in the Air India AI 171 crash?**
On June 12, 2023, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the tragic loss of 274 lives, including ten crew members.
