Key Points
- Air India and Air India Express have permanently retired the flight number 171 after the tragic Ahmedabad-London crash that killed 241 people.
- The Ahmedabad-London Gatwick route will now operate as AI 159 from June 17, and Air India Express will also discontinue IX 171.
- This move follows global aviation practice to honor victims and avoid negative associations with tragic flight numbers.
- A high-level government committee has been formed to investigate the causes of the crash and review aviation safety protocols.
- The committee, led by the Union Home Secretary, will recommend policy and safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.
New Delhi: In a move reflecting both respect for the victims and international aviation tradition, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express have announced the permanent retirement of flight number 171. This decision follows the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which resulted in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board—one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Indian history.
Ahmedabad-London Route Gets New Flight Number
Effective June 17, the Ahmedabad-London Gatwick service will operate under the new flight number AI 159, replacing the now-retired AI 171. Air India has already updated its booking systems to reflect this change. The move is part of a broader industry practice, as airlines worldwide often discontinue flight numbers associated with fatal accidents to pay tribute to those lost and to avoid the negative psychological impact on passengers and crew.
Air India Express Also Retires IX 171
Air India Express, the low-cost arm of the national carrier, has also decided to drop its own flight number IX 171. This symbolic gesture mirrors actions taken after previous tragedies, such as the 2020 Kozhikode crash, when the airline retired the ill-fated flight number involved in that incident as well.
High-Level Committee to Probe Crash and Review Safety
In response to the disaster, the Indian government has set up a high-level committee led by the Union Home Secretary to investigate the causes of the AI-171 crash. The Civil Aviation Ministry has tasked the committee with a thorough review of the incident, including an examination of existing safety protocols and the development of new recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The committee’s mandate includes:
- Identifying the root causes of the crash
- Reviewing current aviation safety standards and procedures
- Suggesting policy and operational improvements
- Coordinating with other ongoing investigations by aviation and safety authorities
This high-level probe is intended to complement, not replace, other technical and criminal investigations already underway.
Honoring Victims and Ensuring Safer Skies
The retirement of the flight number is seen as a mark of respect for the departed souls and a commitment to learning from the tragedy. With a renewed focus on safety and policy reform, Air India and the Indian government aim to restore public confidence and ensure that such a devastating event is never repeated.
