Latest news with #JayeshRamji
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
'I trust God & airline': Man who escaped AI-171 crash flies again on AI-159
Renumbered AI-159 flew from Ahmedabad to London four days after AI-171 crashed into a residential area, killing 241 on board on June 12 New Delhi Air India's London-bound service returned to the skies on Monday, just four days after the tragic crash of flight AI-171. The route was rebranded as AI-159 and departed Ahmedabad for London Gatwick at 4.30 pm — more than three hours behind schedule. The flight was scheduled to depart at 1.10 pm but eventually departed at 4.30 pm. At Gate 4 of Terminal 2, London shop-assistant Jayesh Ramji was ready to board the flight. 'I was to return on AI 171. I postponed my travel to June 16 because my mother was unwell. All I want is to get back home safe,' he told The Times of India. Raas Mishra, a 28-year-old logistics executive, tried to calm his parents before boarding: 'They were scared. I am a tad nervous, too, but I have flown Air India before. I trust their pilots.' Kokila Patel, 72, called the extended delay 'emotional exhaustion', while Sabina Qasmani's mother confessed she would stay anxious until her 21-year-old daughter phoned from London. 'Since the crash, I haven't been able to sleep. Sabina is flying the same route. It's hard not to worry," she said, as quoted by the report. Air India crash in Ahmedabad Flight AI-171 crashed into a residential area near Ahmedabad minutes after take-off on the afternoon of June 12. Of the 242 passengers and crew, 241 lost their lives. Casualties on the ground — including students in the BJ Medical College hostel — raised the overall death toll to 265. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight-data recorder. A preliminary report is awaited. Tata Group has pledged ₹1 crore in compensation to the family of every victim.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Man who dodged AI 171 crash boards AI 159 with prayers
Ahmedabad: Just four days after cheating death, Jayesh Ramji stood quietly at Gate 4 of Terminal 2 of the SVPI airport, hands clasped tightly around his bag. A shop assistant in London, the 34-year-old was supposed to be on AI 171: the Air India flight that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241of the 242 passengers and crew on board along with many others on the ground. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A last-minute change to stay with his ailing mother saved his life. On Monday, he stood at the airport again, about to board AI 159 — the renumbered version of the same Ahmedabad-Gatwick flight. Ramji, originally from Diu and living in London for the past seven years, said: "I pushed my travel to June 16 as my mother was unwell. Now, I just hope to get home safe." Ramji wasn't alone in carrying quiet fear. The terminal was quieter than usual, with families clinging a little tighter, goodbyes turning a little longer. Everyone knew the significance of this flight: same city, same sky, but with prayers for a different outcome. The flight, scheduled to depart at 1.10pm, was delayed by over three hours and eventually departed at 4.30pm. In line stood Raas Mishra, 28, who works with the operations team of a logistics firm in London. His parents had just hugged him goodbye; their eyes moist with tears. "They were scared. We all saw the news. I am nervous too, but I have flown Air India before and while the ride is not always the most comfortable, I trust their pilots," Mishra told TOI. For 72-year-old Kokila Patel of Patan, the delay brought emotional exhaustion. Her original flight was scheduled for June 14, but it was cancelled after the tragedy. "My son said I should book another airline. But I'd already confirmed June 16 when Air India called me," she said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I trust God and the airline. I want to go back, not stay scared forever." Her older sister, Pushpa Patel, 75, who came to see her off, looked visibly worried. "I begged her to change the airline, but she wouldn't listen," she said. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Sabina Qasmani from Veraval was finally heading back to the UK to join her father and siblings. Her mother, Ameena, remained anxious. "Since the crash, I have not been able to sleep. She is flying the same route. It is hard not to worry." For Riddhi, another young woman heading to her husband in the UK after visiting her family in Ahmedabad, the moment was bittersweet. "This is my second trip after getting married. I was happy being with my family, but I just want to get back safely to him now." Despite the weight of recent memories, there was a quiet strength in the air. At the departure gate, hugs lingered. At the boarding gate, passengers glanced skyward and whispered prayers. And when AI159 finally lifted off, every passenger carried one common wish: that the flight would be just another flight, and not a headline.
