Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Expresses Deep Grief Over AI 171 Tragedy

Image Source : Screen Grab | Message from Campbell Wilson | @airindia

Dated 13th June 2025

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

Ahmedabad | After the tragic crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight No. AI 171) shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday the 12 June 2025, Air India CEO & Managing Director Mr. Campbell Wilson shared an emotional message on social media.

The aircraft was on its way to London Gatwick when it suddenly crashed into the Meghani area of Ahmedabad city. The tragic incident has shaken the nation and the aviation community.

In his statement, Mr. Campbell Wilson said, “I am sharing this message from Ahmedabad, where Air India flight AI 171 to Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off yesterday. Tragically, since my first briefing, we have confirmed 241 of the 242 passengers and crew perished in the incident. All of us at Air India are devastated by this loss and grieve for those affected, their families and their loved ones.

Air India’s advanced team of nearly 100 caregivers and 40 engineering staff has now arrived in Ahmedabad. The technical team is now helping at the site and our caregivers are providing support to families. Many more caregivers are travelling to Ahmedabad to provide further support.

We have set up Friends and Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and London Gatwick airports for the next of kin of our passengers and crew members. These centres are facilitating their travel to Ahmedabad and providing them full support.

The Tata Group, our parent company, has announced that they will provide 1 crore rupees, or approximately 85,000 GBP to the families of each person who lost their life, and will cover the medical expenses of those injured.

We are also deeply concerned for the well-being of the students of the medical hostel involved in the accident. Air India is committed to providing full and unstinting assistance in these difficult times.

This morning I visited the crash site and was deeply moved by the scenes. I also met key stakeholders in the government and assured them that Air India is committed to full cooperation with those working on the ground and to the investigations. We know that the investigations will take time, but we will be fully transparent and will support the process for as long as it takes.

Air India will continue to do everything we can to care for those affected by this tragedy, and to uphold the trust placed in us.

VIDEO | Message from Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India. Source : @airindia on X.

This heart-wrenching tragedy has left the entire country in deep sorrow. Air India, under the leadership of CEO Campbell Wilson, has assured full support and transparency in the ongoing investigations. The nation stands united in grief, praying for strength and peace for all those affected by this unimaginable loss.