Latest news with #CampbellWilson
Canada Standard
39 minutes ago
- General
- Canada Standard
AI 171 crash: 202 bodies handed over and 220 victims identified, says Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 20 (ANI): Almost a week after the deadly Air India crash that took place in Ahmedabad, DNA samples of 220 victims had been matched with their families and the mortal remains of 202 passengers have been released, announced Gujarat Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Rushikesh Patel on Friday. In a post on X, Rushikesh Patel wrote, 'UPDATED UP TO :- 20/06/2025 , 11:45 A.M. NO. OF DNA MATCH - 220, NO. OF RELATIVES CONTACTED- 220, NO. OF MORTAL RELEASED- 202.' Of the 220 victims identified in the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, 151 were Indian nationals, 34 were British, 7 Portuguese, one was Canadian, and 9 were non-passengers. So far, 202 bodies have been handed over, 15 sent by air and 187 by ambulance, while the remaining mortal remains will be released soon. 'Indians 151, Portuguese 7, British 34, Canada 1, Non passengers AIR - 15, By road via ambulance - Mortal remains will be handed over soon,' the post further reads. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said that the flight AI-171, which crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad on June 12, was 'well-maintained' and both the aircraft and its engines were regularly monitored, showing no issue before the flight. In a wordy statement for its customers, Air India's CEO informed that the plane had undergone its last major check in June 2023, while its right engine was overhauled in March of this year, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. 'The plane was well-maintained, with its last major check in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. Its right engine was overhauled in March 2025, and the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Both the aircraft and engines were regularly monitored, showing no issues before the flight,' Campbell Wilson said. Air India CEO assured that they are working with the aviation industry and waiting for the official investigation report to provide more information about the crash in which 241 out of the 242 passengers on board were killed after the plane crashed into the BJ Medical college's boys hostel building. Campbell Wilson further added that Air India has completed inspection on 26 Boeing 787 aircraft out of 33 of its aircraft as per the directions of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after the tragedy. He added that following the review of Air India aircraft, the DGCA has confirmed that our Boeing 787 fleet and maintenance processes fully meet safety standards. On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. (ANI)
Times of Oman
an hour ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
"No plane will fly if there's any doubt": Air India CEO assures aircraft safety post-tragedy
New Delhi: Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Friday reassured the public and employees that the airline's fleet -- particularly its Boeing 787 aircraft -- remains safe to operate following comprehensive checks, and that the carrier is exercising maximum caution in the wake of the AI171 tragedy. In an official communication, Campbell said, "Have our aircraft been deemed safe? Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards." "We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft - of any type - for service," said the CEO. The Air India CEO assured the public and employees of continued support and transparency in the aftermath of the AI171 incident, stating that the airline -- and the wider Tata Group -- will stand by the families of victims and affected staff long after the immediate crisis subsides. "We continue to mourn for the lives lost in the AI171 tragedy, and to support those who have been affected. Around 500 colleagues from Air India and 17 other Tata companies remain in Ahmedabad to help the families of passengers, crew and those on the ground. Progress is being made, together with the authorities, on reconciling families with their loved ones, and as of this morning more than 200 have received some degree of solace and closure," he said. "We will continue supporting those affected long after the work in Ahmedabad is done for, as our Chairman has said, these families are now Tata families," CEO Campbell added. "This is equally true for those of our colleagues, who we will support in the same way. You may have read social media commentary on the perceived lack of visibility of Air India at the services held for our colleagues. I can assure you that we have had senior representation at each and every one. We are, however, taking care that our presence does not cause disruption at a time so important for families and loved ones, as a matter of respect," he further said. The CEO said that Air India is supporting everyone, including staff who have served in Ahmedabad upon their return to base with a mandatory break and counselling. "The counselling services, which are confidential and provided by professionals, continue to be available to everyone and I encourage you to avail of it," he stated. Responding to queries, posed at him, the Air India CEO said, "Over the last week I have met many of you in small groups. Many of you have asked similar questions." Replying to the same, he said, "What happened? There are many theories but, as the accident is now under official investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, it is not appropriate for us to comment or speculate. We are providing all information requested by the AAIB and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them." Replying to whether a report would be available, he said, "This is completely up to the AAIB. The final report can take many months, though the AAIB may choose to issue interim updates or reports. If there is any discovery during the investigation that suggests airlines or suppliers need to change something urgently, we have confidence that such information would be shared quickly. For our part, we will be transparent with what is shared with us." Replying to whether Air India aircraft been deemed safe?, he said, "Yes. We have completed the additional precautionary checks on our operating Boeing 787 fleet as requested by the DGCA, who have publicly declared that they meet required standards. We have also, as a matter of abundant precaution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks for the time being. Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft - of any type - for service." Replying to the reduction in some flights?, Campbell said, "The additional pre-flight checks we are doing reduces the number of hours aircraft are available to operate, which - also considering the extra flight time arising from new airspace closures in the Middle East, on top of the Pakistan closure - is why we have taken the decision to reduce the amount of flying over the coming weeks. We will progressively restore when the time is right." Replying to the impact on Air India's future plans?, he said, "This has been a tragic event and we will learn whatever we can from it so that we are stronger in future. However, our aim in every respect, be it safety, quality, service, scale, reach, professionalism or any other dimension, remains the same if not higher than before." On shareholders' support, he said, "We continue to have the full support of both shareholders." "I am sure there are other questions, which we can compile and address in time to come. For now, though, let us continue to perform our roles as professionally as we possibly can, with complete focus on safety. And, as always, with care for our customers and each other," he added. On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Air India to continue additional pre-flight checks, not to fly when in doubt: CEO Campbell Wilson
Campbell Wilson message came as the operator is slowly trying to achieve normalcy in operation after the crash of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad last week.
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Air India decides to 'voluntarily' run pre-flight checks on its fleet: CEO Campbell Wilson
Campbell Wilson message came as the operator is slowly trying to achieve normalcy in operation after the crash of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad last week.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
Air India CEO denies funeral absence claims, reaffirms Tata support
Campbell Wilson affirms management attended all AI171 crew funerals, says families are now Tata families, and outlines safety checks and scaled operations post-crash Deepak Patel New Delhi Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Friday said senior executives of the airline were present at the funeral of every flight crew member who perished in the June 12 AI171 crash, dismissing 'social media commentary' that alleged otherwise. 'We have had senior representation at each and every one,' Wilson wrote in a message to employees, adding that the management chose to keep a low profile 'as a matter of respect', to avoid disrupting services 'so important for families and loved ones'. Wilson also said the airline is supporting the families of the deceased crew members as it would those of its own staff. 'These families are now Tata families,' he said, echoing a statement by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. About 500 employees from Air India and 17 other Tata Group companies are in Ahmedabad assisting families of passengers, crew and residents affected by the tragedy. 'We will continue supporting those affected long after the work in Ahmedabad is done,' Wilson said. On the ongoing investigation into the crash of flight AI171 — which killed 241 people, including 34 on the ground — Wilson said the airline is fully cooperating with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). 'What happened? There are many theories but, as the accident is now under official investigation by the AAIB, it is not appropriate for us to comment or speculate. We are providing all information requested by the AAIB and are cooperating completely. It is vital that the facts, whatever they may be, are known so that we and the industry at large can learn from them,' he said. 'If there is any discovery during the investigation that suggests airlines or suppliers need to change something urgently, we have confidence that such information would be shared quickly. For our part, we will be transparent with what is shared with us,' he noted. The AI171 flight had 242 people — 10 cabin crew members, two pilots and 230 passengers — on board. All but one passenger died in the crash. Wilson, in his message, reassured staff that Air India's Boeing 787 fleet has passed the additional checks ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 'We have also, as a matter of abundant caution, voluntarily decided to continue additional pre-flight checks... Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft — of any type — for service,' he noted. He explained that these checks, along with airspace restrictions over the Middle East and Pakistan, have led to temporary flight reductions. 'We will progressively restore (services) when the time is right,' he said. Air India on Thursday night announced the suspension of its Delhi–Nairobi, Amritsar–London (Gatwick), and Goa (Mopa)–London (Gatwick) services, and reduction of frequencies on many other international routes, as part of a temporary scaling down of operations on its long-haul network. The airline cited voluntary enhanced safety inspections and extended flight durations due to airspace closures in the Middle East as the reasons for the move, which will take effect from June 21 and continue at least until July 15. Despite the setback, Wilson on Friday maintained that Air India's long-term ambitions remain intact. 'Our aim in every respect — be it safety, quality, service, scale, reach, professionalism or any other dimension — remains the same, if not higher than before,' he said, adding that the airline continues to have the 'full support of both shareholders'. Tata Group and Singapore Airlines hold 74.9 per cent and 25.1 per cent shares in Air India. Wilson ended the note by urging employees to stay focused on safety and professionalism. 'Let us continue to perform our roles as professionally as we possibly can, with complete focus on safety — and, as always, with care for our customers and each other,' he wrote.
