In the wake of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171—a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner that went down shortly after departing Ahmedabad for London—India’s leading private carriers have joined together in expressing their support for the national flag carrier.
IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air issued immediate statements on X (formerly Twitter), offering their condolences and support:
IndiGo wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident at Ahmedabad airport. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and their families. We stand united in spirit with Air India in this very difficult time."
SpiceJet stated: “We are truly saddened by the tragic incident at Ahmedabad airport. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with Air India during this difficult time."
Akasa Air posted a similar message of support, encouraging unity during the crisis. Additionally, all three private airlines—like Air India—removed their display pictures and header images across social media platforms, symbolising collective mourning.
Other major organisations and individuals also expressed their sorrow and support: Tata Group expressed “profound sorrow” and pledged assistance for affected families, noting close coordination between Air India and emergency teams.
Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, which operates Ahmedabad airport, stated that his company was working closely with authorities in response to the crash.
Salman Khan, a prominent Bollywood actor, cancelled a scheduled event and declared: “We are with the country”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu to visit Ahmedabad and oversee relief efforts.
President Draupadi Murmu described the crash as a “heart-rending disaster,” a sentiment echoed by key political leaders, including Amit Shah.
The airline crash prompted immediate financial market reactions: Shares of IndiGo declined approximately 3 percent, while SpiceJet dropped around 1.5 percent following the incident.
Boeing stock had fallen by about 7–9 percent in US pre-market trading due to the crash involving its 787‑8 model.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), alongside the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched a formal investigation into the crash, examining flight data, pilot communications, aircraft systems, and environmental conditions. No official findings have yet been released.
On the ground, Air India’s Chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed the activation of an emergency response centre and deployment of family support teams.
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