Air India announces additional Rs 25 lakh compensation, on top of Rs 1 crore, to fast-track relief for victims' families

Time of India

11 hours ago

Air India
and its parent company, Tata Group, will jointly provide over ₹1.25 crore in financial assistance to the families of those killed in the Ahmedabad air disaster. This includes ₹1 crore from Tata Sons and an interim ₹25 lakh from the airline itself.
The financial aid was confirmed in a post on Air India's official X handle. 'Air India will be providing an interim payment of ₹2.5 million to the families of the deceased and to the survivor,' the airline said.
In addition to the compensation, medical costs for those injured—including students at B.J. Medical College—will be fully covered.
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Wilson pledged Air India's full cooperation with the probe and long-term support for victims' families. 'We know that the investigations will take time, but we will be fully transparent and will support the process for as long as it takes,' he said.
He closed his remarks by promising continued care: 'Air India will continue to do everything it can to care for those affected by this tragedy and to uphold the trust placed in us.'
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Ahmedabad Plane Crash: 241 dead in India's deadliest air disaster in over a decade
Of the 242 people on board, only one survived the crash. Speaking from Ahmedabad, Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson stated, 'All of us at Air India are devastated by this loss and grieve for those affected near families and their loved ones.'
The accident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. The aircraft lost altitude at 650 feet and crashed into a student hostel near the airport.
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Airline mobilises emergency response
In response to the tragedy, Air India has sent over 100 caregivers and 40 engineering personnel to Ahmedabad. Assistance centres have been set up in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London to support the families of passengers and crew. These centres are coordinating travel, lodging, and psychological care.
'The technical team is now helping at the site and caregivers are providing support to families,' said Wilson, adding, 'many more caregivers are travelling to Ahmedabad to provide further support.'
He also expressed personal sorrow after visiting the crash site. 'This morning, I visited the crash site and was deeply moved by the scenes,' he said. 'I also met key stakeholders in the government and assured them that Air India is committed to full cooperation with those working on the ground and to the investigations.'
CCTV footage shows descent began 17 seconds after takeoff
A 59-second CCTV recording from a camera mounted at the far left of the runway is now a central piece of evidence. It shows the aircraft lifting off, gaining brief altitude, flying level for a few seconds, and then beginning a tail-down descent 17 seconds into the flight.
Notably, the landing gear remains extended throughout. There was no visible fire in the engines. The plane crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff and erupted into a fireball beyond the airport's boundary wall.
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Impact site: Wreckage inside hostel dining hall
The aircraft crashed into the dining hall of the B.J. Medical College hostel. Steel tumblers and plates, some still containing food, were found among the wreckage. Pieces of the aircraft—wheels, fuselage, and internal parts—were embedded in the walls. Clothes, books, and personal belongings of students were strewn across the floor.
By Friday, the smell of jet fuel remained strong as authorities began using cranes to clear debris and charred trees.
While official findings are pending, investigators are examining whether engine thrust was compromised. They are also studying possible issues with flap operation and asking why the landing gear failed to retract.
Anti-terror units were dispatched as part of standard protocol, but a bird strike has been ruled out.
A source with direct knowledge of the investigation told media that Air India's own maintenance practices are also under review. So far, no mechanical fault has been officially confirmed.
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Black Box found, but voice recorder still missing
Investigators have retrieved the flight data recorder from the rooftop of the hostel where the aircraft came down. The cockpit voice recorder, however, is still missing and remains vital to understanding the final seconds of the flight.
Without both devices, reconstructing the full flight narrative is difficult.
Aviation regulator orders fleet-wide safety checks
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued urgent directives to Air India. From midnight on 15 June, all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft using GEnx engines must undergo one-time pre-takeoff parameter checks.
In addition, Air India must perform electronic engine control tests and fuel system inspections. These measures aim to identify any systemic issues before flights are cleared for takeoff.
As grief sets in across multiple cities and families try to make sense of the tragedy, focus now shifts to accountability. Investigators will analyse the black box data, maintenance logs, and operational records in the coming days. For Air India and the country's aviation regulators, the findings could have long-lasting implications.
For now, all eyes remain on the investigation—and on the promises made to those left behind.