Air India fires executives after party video sparks outrage post-crash
The video, widely shared on social media, showed AISATS Chief Operating Officer Abraham Zachariah and several other employees dancing to loud music during a celebration at the company's Gurugram office. The timing of the event, so soon after one of India's most devastating aviation disasters, was criticized as highly inappropriate and lacking compassion.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff, striking a hostel at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College. Of the 260 people onboard, only one passenger survived.
As grieving families awaited the return of their loved ones' remains, the video prompted a wave of outrage online, with many accusing the company of insensitivity and poor judgment.
In response to the backlash, AISATS released an official statement: "At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video. The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm our commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability."
While the company did not confirm the exact date of the party, sources stated that four senior employees were dismissed for their involvement in organizing the event.
AISATS is a joint venture between Air India—now under the ownership of the Tata Group—and Singapore-based SATS Ltd., a prominent global provider of airport services.
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