Air India Crash Raises Concerns and National Pride Amid Confusion Surrounding the Incident

Last month, a tragic incident occurred when an Air India plane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of at least 260 people. This disaster was particularly jarring given that Air India had recently been celebrated for its resurgence as a global aviation player. Just two years prior, the airline’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, heralded the arrival of a new Airbus A350 as a sign of Indian aviation’s return to prominence. The aircraft’s delivery was met with widespread enthusiasm, as the airline transitioned from a struggling state-owned entity to a modern operation under the Tata Group.

The conglomerate, which originally founded Air India in 1932 and reacquired it in 2022, made strides towards revitalizing the airline, including placing a record order for 470 aircraft valued at over $70 billion. In 2023, Air India also began retrofitting its legacy fleet, intending to speed up modernization. However, the airline’s forward momentum was abruptly halted by the crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, which killed nearly everyone aboard and several people on the ground, marking one of India’s worst aviation disasters. Investigations into the crash revealed that the plane’s fuel switches had been turned off, raising questions about pilot error, including the possibility of an accidental or deliberate act.

While investigators cautioned against jumping to conclusions, public sentiment grew uneasy, particularly among pilots who felt demoralized by speculations surrounding potential pilot misconduct. Family members of victims also faced distress, with reports indicating some received the wrong remains of their loved ones. Meanwhile, Air India has been under scrutiny from regulators regarding numerous safety violations, emphasizing the ongoing challenges the airline faces in revamping its image and ensuring safety. With a tumultuous legacy under nearly 70 years of government control, Air India continues to grapple with issues that threaten its revival as a leading airline.