Air India to Observe Silence on AI171 Crash Anniversary
Employees Worldwide to Pay Tribute to Victims; Final Investigation Report Still Awaited
- Air India employees to observe two-minute silence on June 12.
- Tribute marks one year since the AI171 crash near Ahmedabad.
- Investigation into the disaster remains ongoing.
- Final report unlikely on first anniversary as technical examinations continue.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th June: Air India has directed employees across its offices and airports in India and overseas to observe a two-minute silence on Thursday to mark one year since the tragic AI171 crash, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history.
According to an internal communication accessed by media outlets, employees will observe the silence from 1:39 PM to 1:41 PM IST in memory of those who lost their lives in the June 12, 2025 accident.
“In remembrance of AI171, we will observe a two-minute silence on June 12, from 1:39 PM to 1:41 PM IST,” the airline said in the communication.
Employees have been asked to observe the silence at their workstations, while those engaged in essential operational duties, including airport check-in, ground handling and flight operations, may continue their responsibilities as required.
Air India has also designated special spaces for employees to pay their respects following the observance. These locations include the airline’s headquarters, Training Academy, airport offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, as well as facilities at London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports.
The commemorative event comes as the investigation into the AI171 disaster remains incomplete.
The London-bound Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed just 32 seconds after take-off on June 12, 2025. The accident claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, in addition to 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report in July 2025, revealing that both engine fuel control switches had moved from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” shortly after take-off, resulting in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
However, investigators have not yet determined what caused the switches to move, and no responsibility has been assigned to any individual or organisation.
The probe has drawn international attention due to its potential implications for airline safety procedures and Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations worldwide.
Earlier this year, the AAIB dismissed media reports suggesting that the investigation had reached a conclusion, describing such claims as speculative and reiterating that no final findings had been reached.
Officials familiar with the investigation have indicated that a final report is unlikely to be released on the crash’s first anniversary, as detailed technical examinations of the aircraft’s GE Aerospace engines are still underway in the United States.
Instead, authorities are expected to issue an interim status update outlining the progress made in the investigation and explaining why further analysis remains necessary.
Under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, accident investigation reports should be made public as soon as possible, ideally within 12 months. However, there is no mandatory deadline, and complex investigations often take significantly longer.
Once completed, the AAIB’s final report is expected to identify the probable cause of the crash and recommend safety measures for airlines, aircraft manufacturers and aviation regulators.
