The devastating crash of an Air India flight, carrying more than 240 individuals on Thursday, follows on the heels of persistent efforts to revitalize India’s national airline, which had long grappled with tragedies and financial turmoil under its previous state ownership.
In 2010, tragedy struck when an Air India flight arriving from Dubai veered off the runway in Mangalore, plummeting over a precipice and resulting in the deaths of 158 of the 166 people onboard. Additionally, in 2020, an Air India Express flight slid off a runway in Southern India amid torrential rain, breaking into two sections—resulting in 18 fatalities and over 120 injuries.
Both incidents involved older Boeing 737-800 aircraft and took place during a period when Air India was under government control. In 2022, Indian conglomerate Tata Sons acquired Air India, reinstating it as a private entity after decades of state management.
The acquisition, valued at 180 billion rupees (approximately $2.4 billion at that time), symbolized a return to its origins, as the Tata family’s involvement with Air India began in 1932 when they established Tata Airlines. This move aimed to rescue the airline from substantial financial losses and accumulated debts.
Jitendra Bhargava, a former executive director of the airline and author of “The Descent of Air India,” cited government ownership as a contributing factor to outdated business practices and management by those with limited knowledge of the aviation sector.
“This creates a recipe for disaster, which we have experienced,” Bhargava commented, explaining the perpetual financial strain that hindered necessary investments in upgrades.
By the time Tata Sons assumed control, Air India’s market share hovered around 12%, facing threats from growing competitors. According to Bhargava and other industry experts, shedding state ownership was essential to enabling Air India’s competitiveness against private rivals—with subsequent efforts focusing on modernizing its operations and aircraft fleet.
In recent developments, Air India revamped its branding and placed substantial orders for new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. Thursday’s incident, involving a 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is unlikely to disrupt these existing partnerships.
“Air India and Tata have showcased their commitment to Boeing,” noted Anita Mendiratta, an expert in aviation and leadership. Despite Boeing’s recent challenges, including issues with the 737 Max, airlines globally remain eager to incorporate Boeing’s latest models, like the 787 Dreamliner, celebrated for its role in sustainable aviation advancements.
Boeing has faced its own share of safety concerns historically, although Thursday marked the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, as per the Aviation Safety Network database. The cause behind this crash remains unknown, with an international probe underway. Boeing is actively gathering more information, while Air India is determined to provide answers and support those affected.
“This is an exceptionally challenging day for Air India,” stated CEO Campbell Wilson in a recorded address, emphasizing the current focus on assisting passengers, crew, and their families.
Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran emphasized the immeasurable grief shared at this time, announcing a compensation of 10 million rupees (close to $116,795) to each family affected by the loss, alongside medical cost coverage for those injured.
The ill-fated Boeing 787 met with disaster shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad in northwest India, crashing into a medical college. A government official and Air India report one survivor, with no others—confirming a death toll of 241.
Air India has experienced multiple fatal incidents before, including the 1978 crash of a Boeing 747 into the Arabian Sea, which claimed 213 lives. The airline was under government administration from 1953 until 2022.
Other significant accidents involving state-run Indian airlines include a 2000 crash in Patna, killing more than 50, a 1993 crash in Aurangabad with 55 fatalities, and the 1988 Ahmedabad and 1991 Imphal accidents, resulting in over 130 and 69 deaths, respectively.