Mumbai: Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Thursday conveyed profound sorrow over the crash of the airline’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Calling it a “difficult day” for everyone at Air India, Wilson assured that the airline is fully committed to supporting affected families and assisting in the ongoing emergency response.
In a video statement released hours after the tragedy, Wilson said, “First and most importantly, I would like to express our deep sorrow about this event. This is a difficult day for all of us here in India. Our focus is entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families, and loved ones.”
The London-bound flight AI-171 crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, colliding with a residential block in the BJ Medical College complex and bursting into flames in one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
While Wilson acknowledged that many questions remain, he emphasized that Air India is prioritizing assistance and coordination. “We are actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts. Injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals,” he said.
Air India also confirmed the arrival of a special team of “caregivers” in Ahmedabad to support ground operations and offer comfort to survivors and families of victims. “Anything we can do now, we are doing,” Wilson said, assuring that the airline is providing all necessary cooperation to investigators.
According to official figures, the flight was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian. Only one passenger, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash.
Wilson also shared that Air India has set up a dedicated helpline for friends and family members seeking information about their loved ones. “Our teams are working around the clock to support passengers, crew, and their families, and to assist the authorities,” the airline’s updated statement noted.
As investigations into the cause of the crash begin, Air India reiterated its full cooperation and commitment to supporting all ongoing efforts.
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