Before a recent tragic crash that killed at least 260 people, Air India had stood as a symbol of India’s growing prominence on the global stage. Just two years prior, CEO Campbell Wilson celebrated the arrival of the airline’s first Airbus A350, calling it a milestone in Indian aviation’s resurgence. This new aircraft marked a turning point, capturing national attention and signaling Air India’s transformation from a once-neglected state-owned carrier into a modern airline under the ownership of the Tata Group.
Founded by Tata in 1932 and reacquired by the conglomerate in 2022 after decades of government control, Air India had been making bold moves. In 2023, the airline announced a record-breaking order for 470 aircraft worth over $70 billion. It also began a $400 million retrofit of its older fleet, leasing jets from airlines like Delta to accelerate modernization. That progress was abruptly halted last month when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing nearly all aboard and 19 people on the ground in one of India’s worst air disasters. The airline now faces intense scrutiny as families seek answers following a preliminary report suggesting the plane’s fuel switches were mistakenly or intentionally turned off, though investigators caution against jumping to conclusions. Meanwhile, reports of misidentified remains and multiple safety violations have further clouded Air India’s efforts to rebuild its reputation.