Air India Faces Backlash After Ahmedabad Crash Killing 275

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed 275 people including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground, has sparked widespread criticism toward the airline and its stakeholders. Campbell Wilson, Air India's CEO and a Singapore Airlines nominee, faced backlash for delivering a speech perceived as lacking empathy and for closely mirroring a statement made by American Airlines' CEO after a separate crash. Passengers have since voiced grievances on social media about poor service, mishandled refunds, baggage issues, and alleged harassment by Air India staff. Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel sharply criticized Singapore Airlines, a 25.1% stakeholder in Air India, for a delayed and insufficient public response, accusing the airline of offering mere lip service despite its board representation and maintenance responsibilities for Air India's wide-body fleet. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India's internal safety board have launched investigations into the crash, while public scrutiny continues over the airline's operational and customer service shortcomings.