Raveena Tandon takes Air India flight after AI171 tragedy: ‘Atmosphere is solemn, crew is sad'

Hindustan Times

8 hours ago

A shadow of doubt and mistrust has been cast on Air India by the recent crash of its London-bound flight AI171 in Ahmedabad. Amid the intense scrutiny, actor Raveena Tandon is showing support for the airline by flying with them. She described the atmosphere as solemn, saying the crew's welcoming smiles are "tinted with sadness'. Also read: 'Mayday!': Air India pilot's final message before Ahmedabad plane crash
On Monday, Raveena took to Instagram to show her faith in Air India, sharing that she recently chose to fly with the airline. She also shared several images of herself inside the plane and a picture of her boarding pass.
Sharing the photographs, Raveena wrote, 'New Beginnings … to rise and fly again against all odds … to pick up and start all over, new resolve towards greater strength'. "The atmosphere solemn and the crews welcoming smiles, tinted with sadness. The Silent passengers and crew bonding with unspoken condolences and subtle confidence. Condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones. A wound that will never heal. Godspeed always @airindia . Fearless and a will To overcome and be strong again,' she added.
A post shared by Raveena Tandon (@officialraveenatandon)
Earlier, comedian Vir Das had come forward to defend the airline. 'It's a tragic day for so many families. And all our thoughts and prayers are with them. I just wanted to add my support for the crew. I've flown Air India all my life. It is not an airline without problems but without fail, I know them to be the best crew in the sky,' Vir wrote on his X, formerly known as Twitter.
He added, 'Time will tell what happened on this tragic flight. I cannot imagine how hard it is for them to do their job right now having lost their own. For the crew, just to say one stands with you. And hopes to see you soon on a flight'.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a medical college hostel in Meghaninagar on June 12, moments after takeoff. The disaster claimed 241 lives, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, as the sole survivor with minor injuries.
The plane crash in Ahmedabad has killed a total of 270 people. This includes 241 people who were on board the London-bound flight and the 29 people who were killed after the plane crashed into the hostel of B.J. Medical College. Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was also in the flight, and is one of the deceased. Rupani, 68, was travelling to visit his daughter in London.
Air India and Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation for victims' families and ₹25 lakh interim payments.