New Delhi, June 20, 2025 — In the wake of the catastrophic Air India AI171 crash that claimed 241 lives, CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson addressed growing public and internal concerns, affirming that the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet remains safe following a series of stringent checks.
Wilson, in an official communication, confirmed that all operating Boeing 787 aircraft underwent additional inspections as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) orders. “We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet… and they meet required standards,” he said, adding that pre-flight inspections would continue voluntarily for the foreseeable future.
The AI171 incident, where a London-bound Dreamliner crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, has triggered one of the most tragic chapters in Indian civil aviation. Only one out of the 242 passengers and crew survived. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Wilson acknowledged the pain and shock shared across the Tata Group and the wider Air India family. “We continue to mourn the lives lost… Over 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to support victims’ families,” he noted, assuring long-term assistance to both victims’ families and impacted staff. “These families are now Tata families,” he emphasized.
The CEO also addressed concerns about Air India’s presence at memorial services, affirming that senior officials attended all ceremonies while ensuring discretion to avoid disrupting grieving families. Internally, he confirmed that employees returning from field operations in Ahmedabad are being provided mandatory breaks and confidential counseling services.
As speculation continues around the cause of the crash, Wilson reiterated that the matter is under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). “It’s not appropriate to speculate. We are cooperating fully. If anything urgent arises during the investigation, it will be acted upon immediately,” he said.
He also acknowledged that temporary flight reductions were necessary. “Additional pre-flight checks and Middle East airspace closures, along with Pakistan’s restrictions, have made it essential to scale back operations slightly,” he explained. These reductions, he added, are temporary and will be restored progressively.
Despite the tragedy, Wilson asserted that Air India’s long-term vision remains unchanged. “Our aim in safety, quality, professionalism and growth remains undeterred. We are committed to learning from this and becoming stronger.”
He concluded by urging all Air India staff to continue with dedication, placing safety and compassion at the core of their service. “Let us continue to perform our roles as professionally as we possibly can—with complete focus on safety and care for our customers and each other,” he said.
