Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport
Ahmedabad, India – Air India Flight AI171 crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, 12 June 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was bound for London Gatwick. It carried 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
The plane took off at 1:38 p.m. local time. It issued a mayday call shortly after. The aircraft then lost contact with air traffic control. It crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, near the airport. Thick black smoke rose from the site.
Of the passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among them. The pilots were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 flying hours, and co-pilot Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours.
Rescue operations began immediately. Emergency personnel are at the scene. Authorities fear several casualties. The chances of survivors are slim, according to sources. Ahmedabad airport has suspended all flight operations.
Air India confirmed the accident. “Flight AI171 was involved in an incident today,” the airline said on X. A passenger hotline (1800 5691 444) is available for families in India. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, is gathering information.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences. “The scenes are devastating,” he said. India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu called the crash shocking. Political leaders globally have shared their sorrow.
The cause of the crash is unknown. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating. This is the first major crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more details emerge.
