Ahmedabad plane crash: Air India, AI Express drop flight number '171' – report

NEW DELHI: Air India and Air India Express have reportedly decided to discontinue flight number '171' following the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner accident that claimed 241 lives on Thursday during its Ahmedabad to London Gatwick journey, just seconds after takeoff, according to news PTI, quoting sources.Airlines typically cease using specific flight numbers after fatal accidents, according to statements from the sources.Starting June 17, the Ahmedabad-London Gatwick service will operate under 'AI 159' instead of 'AI 171'. The airline implemented these booking system modifications on Friday, according to one of the PTI sources.The sources also confirmed that Air India Express has opted to discontinue their flight number 'IX 171'.The decision to retire flight number '171' serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the incident.Previously in 2020, Air India Express had similarly discontinued the flight number of the aircraft involved in the Kozhikode accident, which resulted in 21 casualties.The Boeing 787-8 aircraft bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew and several individuals on the ground when the plane plunged into a medical college complex.

The Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is leading a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the causes of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and recommend comprehensive guidelines to prevent future incidents, the civil aviation ministry announced. The ministry stated that the committee would not replace other enquiries conducted by relevant organisations. According to an order dated June 13, the panel includes the Civil Aviation Secretary and the Additional Secretary in the home ministry. Committee members also include representatives from the Gujarat home department, Gujarat disaster response authority, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, the Indian Air Force's Director General of Inspection and Safety, Director Generals of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Other members are the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau and the Director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is already investigating the fatal crash.