KidZania’s Ad on Mid-Day Front Page Hours Before Crash Goes Viral; Netizens Call It a “Surreal” Coincidence
In a bizarre and tragic twist, a front-page advertisement in Thursday’s edition of Mid-Day newspaper featuring an Air India aircraft has drawn attention following the fatal crash of Flight AI171 just hours later.
On the morning of June 12, 2025, Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick. Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived the disaster. As the nation grapples with the devastating loss, readers noticed an unsettling coincidence in the day’s newspaper.
The front page of Mid-Day carried a bright, cheerful advertisement promoting KidZania’s upcoming Father’s Day weekend event. Prominently featured in the ad is an image of an Air India aircraft flying low above a stylized cityscape a nod to the aviation experience offered to children at KidZania, where they can role-play as pilots and cabin crew.
The aircraft in the ad, clearly bearing Air India’s branding, appears to soar just above miniature buildings, capturing a sense of excitement and playful adventure. However, in light of the tragic incident that followed mere hours later, the same imagery has taken on an eerie undertone for many readers.
Though the timing has sparked reflection and a sense of disbelief among the public on social media, it is widely acknowledged that the ad campaign was entirely coincidental. The KidZania promotion had been planned well in advance to coincide with Father’s Day celebrations from June 13 to 15. There has been no backlash or accusations—only quiet contemplation about the strange timing.
As investigations into the crash continue, this haunting coincidence remains a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictability.
