Air India Plane Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad; Airport Operations Suspended

Air India Flight AI171 crashes shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, prompting full suspension of operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport until further notice.

All flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, were temporarily suspended on June 12, 2025, after Air India Flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff.

"As a result, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice," a spokesperson of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport said in a statement.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, went down in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad soon after departure. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, and an investigation is underway.

According to Air India, Flight AI171 was carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. The airline has yet to confirm casualties, though fears remain that residents of Meghani Nagar may be among the victims.

Also Read: 10 Shocking Photos From Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash

Air India acknowledged the accident in a statement on its official X handle, saying: “Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.”

Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are
Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025

Visuals from the crash site show extensive wreckage, with twisted metal, charred remains, and rising smoke—indicating the scale of the disaster.

In the aftermath of the incident, airlines including IndiGo and SpiceJet issued travel advisories, citing airport closure and advising passengers to check flight statuses online before heading to the airport. Flexible rebooking and full refund options are being offered to those affected.

Airlines expressed condolences and assured that support teams are working across digital and call centre platforms to assist passengers during this disruption.

This tragedy marks the second major air crash in Ahmedabad. On October 19, 1988, an Indian Airlines flight crashed during its final approach, claiming 133 lives of the 135 on board.