Airbus urges industry unity after Air India AI171 crash, says tragedy mustn’t fuel rivalry

Following the fatal crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on June 12, 2025, European aerospace major Airbus SE, a rival to US-based Boeing Co, has urged that the crash be approached not as an opportunity for rivalry or commercial gain, but as a reminder of shared responsibilities and the critical importance of safety. 

Speaking ahead of the Paris Air Show, Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer at Airbus, emphasised that moments like these should not be seen as scorekeeping and that safety must remain the industry's unwavering priority.

“Safety is in everything that we do, so the tragedy in India—we don’t see that in any way, shape or form as a competitive input...it is, if anything, a reminder to us all that aviation has become so safe that, statistically speaking, every accident is totally unacceptable...every incident in this industry is an immediate reminder of what can go wrong,” he said, as reported by Bloomberg News.

Of the 242 occupants on Air India flight AI171, one passenger survived, and many others on the ground also died due to the impact, making it one of the worst incidents in aviation history.

Boeing, in its official statement following the crash, had said it was in contact with Air India. “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”

Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg also stated that a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”

Boeing will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation protocol, he said.

India's Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has, meanwhile, formed a High-Level Multi-disciplinary Committee, headed by the Union Home Secretary, to examine the causes leading to the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025.

The Committee will review existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive measures for dealing with such incidents in the future. The order, signed by MoCA Joint Secretary Shobhit Gupta, states that the Committee will publish its report within three months.

The ministry clarified that the Committee will not substitute other inquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs to prevent disasters and handle such incidents going forward.