Affected families receive interim aid amid ongoing recovery efforts
Air India announced on Friday that it has successfully disbursed interim compensation to nearly two-thirds of families who lost loved ones in the tragic June 12 crash of Flight AI 171-a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The aircraft carried 242 passengers and crew; 241 aboard perished, and additional lives were lost on the ground-marking one of India’s most devastating air disasters in decades.
In his internal memo, CEO & MD Campbell Wilson stated, “Our teams have been helping families receive interim compensation. Every affected family is being directly assisted by an Air India representative, with nearly two-thirds having already received payment or are in the final stages.”
Immediate financial relief was offered: Tata Sons-Air India’s parent company-allocated ₹1 crore (approximately £86,000) per deceased passenger. On June 14, the airline provided interim support of ₹25 lakh (~£21,500) to address immediate needs for families and survivors. An on-site assistance team remains in Ahmedabad “for as long as required.”
Wilson confirmed the repatriation and reunion process-returning passengers to their families and final destinations-is complete. He also noted that Tata Sons is preparing a long-term support framework, with specifics to follow.
In response to the tragedy, Air India instituted a “Safety Pause”-temporarily reducing its domestic and international network to conduct voluntary aircraft checks and stabilise schedules. From June 18 to mid-July, international widebody flights were cut by 15%. Wilson acknowledged this strained frontline staff and disrupted crew rosters but said the measure allowed accelerated aircraft reliability programmes.
“This accident… will forever stand as one of our darkest days. It must also signal the start of a new era,” Wilson emphasized. He reaffirmed Air India’s renewed focus on investing in aircraft, onboard products, service standards, systems, capabilities-and above all, its people.
