Plane crash: Ahmedabad-London direct flights resume; Air India retires flight number AI 171

AHMEDABAD: Four days after the Air India flight, AI 171 crashed the direct flight between Ahmedabad and Gatwick-London is set to resume from Monday, albeit with a new flight number.

Sources confirmed that the flight service will resume from Monday, whereas bookings are currently available for flights on Tuesday.Although Air India has not issued an official statement on the renumbering, the updated flight number is reflected on the airline’s official website.

A Boeing 787-8 aircraft will operate the said flight. The service will now operate under a new flight number – AI 159 – with the return journey designated as AI 160, as learnt from sources.In the aftermath of the tragedy, the airline has retired the AI 171 designation in an effort to help passengers and crew psychologically distance the revived route from the devastating incident, as is learnt. Aviation sources confirm that such changes are not uncommon and are generally adopted to provide emotional closure and restore traveller confidence.“Renumbering a flight after a major accident is standard industry practice.

It is a mark of respect for the lives that were lost,” a source said. Notably, this approach has precedent. The Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and Lion Air flight JT610 both underwent renumbering following high-profile crashes, in line with international aviation norms aimed at addressing public sentiment.