Flight AI171 disaster: Everything we know about Gatwick-bound Air India plane crash

Yahoo

12-06-2025

An Air India passenger plane destined for London Gatwick has crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities have confirmed.
Flight AI171, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after departing the Indian airport with over 244 people on board on Thursday.
Videos emerging from the scene depicted a black plume of smoke rising into the sky near buildings.
Confirming the news on social meda, Air India wrote that their teams are now ascertaining further details about the incident.
'Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle,' the social media post read.
India's Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has responded to the news, stating that his team were on 'highest alert.'
'I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action," he said.
"Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families."
Here's what we know so far.
Air India has confirmed that the plane that crashed is Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
According to flight tracking sites, it departed on Thursday at 1.17pm local time and was meant to take over nine hours to arrive in the UK.
The plane was an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which can normally carry a total of 248 passengers.