After Air India plane crash, flyers struggle with anxiety and doubts over safety

The devastating crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad has not only claimed hundreds of precious lives but has also shaken people across India and around the world. Since the Boeing 787 Dreamliner began operating in India, this tragic incident marks the first catastrophic crash involving the aircraft, raising many unanswered questions.

An investigation is underway to determine whether the cause was a technical failure or human error, but the horrific videos of the crash have left many sleepless and restless. Beyond the heartbreak of losing hundreds of lives and the personal stories of the victims, there is now a growing sense of fear and panic, especially among frequent flyers. While passengers have long accepted a certain fear of flying, trust in trained pilots, advanced aircraft, and rigorous safety checks usually offered reassurance, until now.

IndiaToday.in spoke with several frequent flyers still grappling with shock and anxiety following the Ahmedabad crash. From business travelers juggling multiple cities every week to NRIs flying frequently to visit family, many are now questioning the safety of air travel.

“I kept thinking, that could’ve been me,” says Manoj Sharma, a Bengaluru-based IT consultant who flies domestically at least ten times a month. “I’ve taken that exact aircraft model on that route. You always think flying is safer than driving, but when something like this happens, your brain doesn’t process logic, it processes fear.” Manoj, who has a meeting in Delhi next week, admits he is now apprehensive about flying.

For Gurgaon-based marketing executive Himanshu Gautam, who flies twice monthly across metros, the crash has “broken the illusion of routine.” He shares, “I get numb to the idea of risk until it hits so close to home. Next time I fly, I’ll be thinking about those passengers and what their last moments might have been like. It’s stomach-churning.”

A Canada-based entrepreneur who travels frequently between the UK, Canada, and India also reveals he is experiencing “a psychological block” about flying Air India again. “I have always supported Air India despite delays and service issues, but now I feel betrayed. If this is a systemic problem, how can I feel safe on the next flight?”

While data confirms that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transport, the AI171 crash has left passengers feeling that safety is no longer guaranteed. Since the tragedy, aviation-related anxiety has surged, with conversations about air travel safety spreading from morning walks to workplaces.

Civil aviation insiders acknowledge that the crash has dented public confidence in the industry. There have been recent incidents involving cabin depressurisation, emergency landings, unusual turbulence, and mid-air disturbances.

“People are now paying attention to aircraft safety, maintenance records, pilot fatigue, issues they never considered before,” says a senior airline official who requested anonymity.