
Why Air India renamed flight AI-171 after the crash
After Air India flight AI-171 crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, the airline changed its number to AI-159. But this isn't the first time a flight has been renamed after a tragedy. From MH370 to Lion Air JT610, here's why airlines do it — and what it means.
#AirIndia #PlaneCrash #AviationNews #FlightNumberChange #MH370 #JT610 #Dreamliner #AI171 #AI159 #Explainer #AviationFacts

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Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
God's wish: Man who lost 2 loved ones in air crashes 37 years apart
Ahmedabad: For businessman Saurin Palkhiwala, the news of Air India Flight 171's crash brought back the most painful memories of his life. In the 1988 air tragedy in Ahmedabad, he had lost his sister's prospective father-in-law. On June 12, his 26-year-old daughter Sanjana was among the 241 passengers who perished in one of the worst aviation disasters the country has seen. "When I got the news of the AI 171 plane crash, shock numbed me as I had witnessed a crash site before. Instinctively, I knew I had lost my daughter and prayed for her. I rushed home from the office, picked my wife Sonali and left for Civil Hospital," says Palkhiwala, his voice breaking. In 1988, a young Palkhiwala had dashed to the crash site to find that his sister's to-be father-in-law, merchant banker Pradeep Harkishandas Dalal, had succumbed to his injuries. Now, he is reeling from the grief of losing his only daughter, Sanjana, who was flying to the UK for a reunion with her friends from college. The Palkhiwalas say the almighty blessed them with a child late and took her back early. "Sanjana was born to us 14 years after marriage. My wife is an ardent devotee of Goddess Gayatri and when Sanjana was born, we were grateful for the divine gift. She was a brilliant student. Our home is full of her memories and wonderful paintings. After completing her BBA from Pune, she pursued her master's in management of technology (MOT) from New York University. She was going to the UK for a reunion with her college friends," Palkhiwala said. The family has adorned the house with numerous pictures of Sanjana through various phases of her short life, and is going through a difficult time of processing her untimely death. "The only way to come to terms with this loss is to know that it is almighty's wish. We cannot do anything in such a situation. Just the other day we were planning her engagement and then performed her last rites and held a besna," the anguished father said. Sanjana was a connoisseur of global cuisine and was keen on starting a business in the food sector. Saloni Palkhiwala, Sanjana's cousin, said, "We bonded very well and were like twin sisters. She had just started playing tennis and enjoyed cricket. She was a lively person who loved dancing, reading, painting and travelling."


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tackling wildlife hazards, incl bird hits: DGCA calls meeting with airports operators on Monday
NEW DELHI: In a fallout of AI 171 crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned airport operators on Monday (June 23) to discuss the continuing menace of wildlife hazards, including bird hits. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dirty surroundings and slaughter houses near airports, among many other factors, attract birds leading to bird hits. 'The places that have seen a spike will be discussed threadbare to see how this risk can be mitigated,' said an official. The probe is on into the AI crash and what caused the same will be known only after a report is out. But authorities are looking at all aspects to improve air safety in India, which includes tackling wildlife hazards. Bird hits increase during monsoon as waterlogged ground forces worms to the surface, attracting more birds that usual. The DGCA had exactly three years back written to airports on the issue. 'We are all aware that during monsoon season wild life (birds and animals) activity increases in and around airports. Presence of wildlife in airport vicinity poses a serious threat to aircraft operational safety. All airports are requested to review their wild life hazard management plan for any gap and ensure strict implementation of strategies for wild life hazard management within and also outside the airfield,' DGCA had said in a letter to all airport operators and airport directors in June 2022. Within the airport, the steps to be taken include: 'grass trimming and spraying of insecticides; frequent runway inspection for bird activities; deployment of bird chasers and bird scaring devices; Regular garbage disposal in the operational area and avoiding water concentration and open drains.' For tackling the issue outside airport premises, the DGCA had said: 'Airport Environment Management Committee (AMC) meetings (should) be convened to discuss and review implementation of measures to reduce bird hazard. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Frequent inspection by airport wild life hazard management team/AMC to identify sources of wild life attraction such as garbage dump, open disposal of abattoir/butcheries waste and coordination with local authorities for mitigation of sources of wild life attraction. ' Rules specifically prohibit any slaughtering or flaying of animals or dumping garbage in a way which could attract animals and birds within a 10-km radius of airports. '... airfield environment management committees at airports (which are headed by chief secretaries) should take proactive measures on time-bound basis to ensure that no illegal slaughter houses, garbage dumps exist in the vicinity of airports. (these) are source of increased bird activity and may lead to wildlife strikes to aircraft during approach/take off,' the DGCA had told states a few years ago.


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Spiritual leader Morari Bapu announces financial assistance of Rs 51 lakh to kin of Ahmedabad crash victims
Spiritual leader Morari Bapu has extended his tributes to the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash of June 12, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 51 lakh to the families of the deceased, said a release on Friday. 'Moved deeply by the tragedy, Morari Bapu has dedicated an assistance of Rs 51 lakh for the families of the plane crash victims. The assistance would be delivered to the families of the deceased by Shri Chitrakutdham Trust after getting details from Air India. The financial arrangement has been supported by Ramesh Sachdev, a Ram Katha listener from London,' the release added.