Ahmedabad Airport Shut Indefinitely After Air India London-Bound Flight Crashes Minutes After Takeoff
Ahmedabad Airport Shut Indefinitely After Air India London-Bound Flight Crashes Minutes After Takeoff
Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad has been shut until further notice after a London-bound Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon.
According to a spokesperson for SVPIA, all flight operations have been suspended as emergency response teams work at the crash site and investigations are underway.
The ill-fated Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM for Gatwick Airport, London. However, within just five minutes, it crashed into a residential locality in Meghaninagar, just outside the airport perimeter.
“There has been no official confirmation on casualties so far,” said aviation authorities. The aircraft had 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of Civil Aviation, confirmed the aircraft issued a MAYDAY call shortly after departure. It then lost contact with ATC and crashed near Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area, triggering a large blaze and plumes of black smoke.
This incident marks the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network.
Initial data from flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed the plane reached only 625 feet before descending rapidly at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute, indicating a possible engine or systems failure.
In a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter), Air India stated:
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today. We are currently ascertaining details and will share updates soon via our official channels.”
Emergency services including fire brigades, ambulances, and NDRF teams have been deployed at the crash site. The airport has been closed indefinitely, and further flights have been cancelled or diverted.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, while rescue operations remain the top priority.
