Air India to mark Ahmedabad crash anniversary with two-minute silence for victims – Firstpost

Air India employees across India and the UK will observe a two-minute silence on Friday to mark the first anniversary of the Ahmedabad AI171 crash, one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent decades.

In an internal communication to staff seen by Firstpost, the Tata Group-owned airline said the silence would be observed from 1:39 pm to 1:41 pm IST in memory of those who lost their lives in the June 12, 2025 tragedy.

Employees may observe this moment at their workstations, while those stationed at airport check-in counters or engaged in essential ground and flight operations may continue their duties as required,” Air India’s HR team said in an email to employees.

The carrier has also arranged tribute gatherings at designated locations, including its headquarters, training academy, facilities in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, as well as at London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports.

The commemoration comes a year after Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, went down during its initial climb, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.

Only one passenger survived the accident, while all 12 crew members lost their lives. Among those killed were citizens of India, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Canada.

The crash was the first fatal accident involving Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered commercial service and triggered one of the most extensive aviation investigations in recent years.

Over the past year, Air India and the Tata Group have undertaken compensation and rehabilitation efforts for affected families. The airline recently said interim compensation of ₹25 lakh has been paid to 96 per cent of the families of the deceased, while the Tata Group’s AI171 Memorial and Welfare Trust has disbursed ₹1 crore ex-gratia assistance to 91 per cent of eligible families.

The airline has also been engaged in returning personal belongings recovered from the crash site and providing long-term support through dedicated caregivers and assistance teams.

Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues to investigate the cause of the crash. Investigators have been examining cockpit voice recordings, flight data and aircraft systems, and an interim report or update on the probe is expected soon.

Air India outlines post-crash measures

Ahead of the first anniversary of the AI171 crash, Air India said it has implemented several operational and organisational measures over the past year while maintaining its existing safety and airworthiness standards.

The airline said it continues to operate in line with regulatory requirements and global aviation safety practices.

Following the crash, Air India undertook a voluntary “safety pause”, reducing flight schedules temporarily to carry out additional inspections and operational reviews.

The carrier said detailed inspections of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft were conducted under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with no issues found. Checks of fuel control switch mechanisms on Boeing 737 and Boeing 787-8 aircraft also did not reveal any concerns.

Air India said the additional ground time helped accelerate fleet upgrades aimed at improving reliability. Its widebody fleet enhancement programme covering Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft is scheduled for completion by FY2027.

The airline said reliability improvement programmes for its Boeing 787 fleet have increased from 36 to 45 over the past year, with completion levels rising from 48 per cent to 65 per cent.

Air India also expanded employee wellness support through its Wellness.AI initiative, providing counselling and psychological assistance to employees and their families through a network of 265 psychologists.

The airline said it has strengthened its risk-based audit framework by increasing the frequency of safety audits. Delhi operations are now audited twice a year, while all other stations undergo annual audits to improve oversight and operational resilience.

With inputs from agencies.