Air India’s CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, has written a heartfelt letter to all frequent flyers after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew members, along with 34 people on the ground.
In the letter, Wilson expressed deep sorrow and sent condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He assured that Air India is fully committed to helping affected families and is working closely with authorities to find out what caused the tragedy.
Key Details Shared in the Letter:
- Experienced Crew: The flight was led by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 10,000 hours of flying experience. First Officer Clive Kunder had over 3,400 hours of flight experience.
- Well-Maintained Aircraft: The plane had its last major maintenance in June 2023, and the next was scheduled for December 2025. Its engines were recently inspected in March and April 2025. No issues were reported before the flight.
Wilson mentioned that a full investigation is still ongoing and the airline, along with the aviation industry, awaits the official report.
Read more: No Faults Found, Yet 275 Lives Lost — Air India CEO Responds Dreamliner was well-maintained
Safety Steps Taken After the Crash:
Following the crash, and as per orders from India’s aviation authority (DGCA), Air India has been thoroughly checking its fleet of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. So far, 26 of these planes have passed safety checks and are back in service. The rest will be cleared after maintenance checks. The DGCA confirmed that Air India’s aircraft and maintenance processes meet safety standards.
Flight Cancellations and Schedule Changes:
Due to these extra safety checks, along with other factors like international airspace closures and airport restrictions, many long-distance flights have been cancelled recently. Wilson apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
To maintain safety, Air India will continue these extra safety checks on its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. As a result, international flights using large aircraft will be reduced by 15% from June 20 to at least mid-July 2025. This will also help have more backup aircraft available if needed.
Passengers whose flights are affected will be contacted for free rebooking or a full refund. An updated schedule will be shared soon.
Final Words:
Wilson thanked passengers for their support and understanding during this difficult time. He reassured them that safety remains Air India’s top priority.
“Your trust means everything to us. We are here to support you in any way we can,” Wilson concluded.
