An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon, colliding with a hostel building near the airport and bursting into flames. Initial reports from Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik indicated there appeared to be no survivors among the 242 people on board, although a lone passenger may have survived. Local residents in Meghani Nagar—a residential area adjacent to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport—also suffered casualties when the wreckage struck a medical college hostel.
Passenger and Crew Manifests
Air India confirmed the flight departed Ahmedabad at 13:38 IST (18:08 AEST) with 242 passengers and crew, representing at least seven nationalities. The manifest included:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian national
The airline said injured survivors—if any—were being rushed to nearby hospitals. Civil aviation authorities later suggested 244 people were on board, pending reconciliation of passenger records.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Firefighters and National Disaster Response Force teams tackled towering flames and plumes of black smoke enveloping the 787’s fuselage and adjoining multi-storey buildings. Charred bodies lay strewn across the tarmac and debris field. Volunteer doctors and students at the medical college reported at least five student fatalities on the ground, with over 50 others injured—many critically—and feared trapped under rubble. Gujarat state authorities established a “green corridor” to expedite ambulances transporting the wounded to trauma centers.
Flight and Aircraft Details
Flight AI171 was operated by a nearly new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, fully fueled for the nine-hour journey to London. Civil aviation director Faiz Ahmed Kidwai noted the aircraft vanished from radar just five minutes after departure. Investigators will retrieve the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, with Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran describing the event as a “tragic accident.” The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has dispatched a technical team to Ahmedabad to lead the probe.
Airport Disruptions and Operations
Ahmedabad airport operations were suspended immediately following the crash, with all inbound and outbound flights diverted or delayed for several hours. Runways reopened by 16:00 IST (20:30 AEST) under heightened security and emergency protocols. Airport authorities advised travelers to confirm flight statuses with airlines, while the UK-bound passenger stream was redirected to Mumbai and Delhi to avoid further disruptions.
Government and International Reactions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi—hailing from Gujarat—called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words” and pledged full central government support for rescue operations. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, on behalf of the Australian government, expressed solidarity with those affected, while King Charles and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended condolences to British victims and families. The UK Foreign Office set up a consular assistance hotline (020 7008 5000) for relatives of the 53 British nationals aboard.
Investigation Launched
The DGCA, Boeing, and Air India have formed a joint investigation team under the oversight of India’s Accident Investigation Bureau. Priority tasks include:
- Securing and analyzing the flight’s black boxes
- Examining air traffic control communications
- Reviewing aircraft maintenance and fueling records
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and emergency personnel
Preliminary findings are expected within 30 days, with a full report to follow under ICAO standards.
Support for Affected Families
Air India has activated an emergency response center to assist next of kin with travel, accommodation, and counselling. Affected families have been offered financial assistance and will receive regular updates from airline and government representatives.
Looking Ahead
As Ahmedabad’s skyline returns to grim normality, aviation authorities face urgent questions about flight safety and crash prevention near residential zones. The devastating loss of Flight AI171 underscores the critical importance of rigorous pre-flight checks, real-time monitoring, and coordinated emergency response—lessons that will shape India’s civil aviation policies in the months ahead.
