Air India and AI Express Retire Flight Number 171 Following Ahmedabad Crash

Air India and AI Express Retire Flight Number 171 Following Ahmedabad Crash

Flight Number Retirement and Operational Changes

Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express have officially retired the flight number ‘171’ in the wake of the tragic crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on Thursday. The flight, operating as AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed mere seconds after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew, as well as additional casualties on the ground after the aircraft struck a medical college complex. This decision to discontinue the use of flight number 171 aligns with a common industry practice of retiring flight numbers associated with major accidents as a mark of respect for the victims.

Effective June 17, the Ahmedabad-London Gatwick route will be re-designated as flight AI 159. Air India Express has similarly withdrawn its corresponding flight number, IX 171. This measure echoes the airline’s response to the 2020 Kozhikode accident, where the flight number involved was also retired following the loss of 21 lives.

Implications for Air India and the Aviation Sector

The aftermath of the crash presents significant challenges for Air India, which now faces reputational damage, potential financial repercussions, and intensified scrutiny from aviation regulators and insurers. Industry experts predict a temporary decline in passenger confidence and bookings, while competitors may leverage the situation to emphasize their own safety records. The incident is expected to catalyse broader regulatory oversight within the Indian aviation sector, compelling all carriers to enhance safety protocols and operational standards.

Investigation and Regulatory Response

In response to the disaster, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has been appointed to lead a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee tasked with investigating the causes of the crash and recommending comprehensive safety measures. This committee will function alongside other ongoing inquiries conducted by relevant agencies. An official order dated June 13 outlines the composition of the panel, which includes senior officials from the civil aviation and home ministries, representatives from the Gujarat home department and disaster response authority, the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, the Indian Air Force’s Director General of Inspection and Safety, and the heads of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Additional members comprise the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau and the Director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services.

Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has commenced a formal investigation into the crash. As the inquiry progresses, Air India and the broader aviation industry face mounting pressure to restore public trust and uphold the highest standards of safety.