Latest news with #AbrahamZachariah
Arab Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Air India fires executives after party video sparks outrage post-crash
NEW DELHI, India, June 28: Four senior executives at Air India SATS (AISATS) have been asked to step down after a video of an office party went viral, drawing widespread condemnation. The controversy erupted just days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, which claimed 270 lives and plunged the nation into mourning. The video, widely shared on social media, showed AISATS Chief Operating Officer Abraham Zachariah and several other employees dancing to loud music during a celebration at the company's Gurugram office. The timing of the event, so soon after one of India's most devastating aviation disasters, was criticized as highly inappropriate and lacking compassion. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff, striking a hostel at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College. Of the 260 people onboard, only one passenger survived. As grieving families awaited the return of their loved ones' remains, the video prompted a wave of outrage online, with many accusing the company of insensitivity and poor judgment. In response to the backlash, AISATS released an official statement: "At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video. The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm our commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability." While the company did not confirm the exact date of the party, sources stated that four senior employees were dismissed for their involvement in organizing the event. AISATS is a joint venture between Air India—now under the ownership of the Tata Group—and Singapore-based SATS Ltd., a prominent global provider of airport services.
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
4 AISATS executives seen ‘partying' days after Ahmedabad crash fired
New Delhi: Airport services firm Air India SATS Services (AISATS) Private Limited on Friday said it has taken 'firm disciplinary action' against four executives for hosting a party at its office, days after a video clip of the gathering sparked criticism. Wreckage of an Air India aircraft, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, which crashed during take-off from an airport in Ahmedabad (REUTERS) Officials in the know of the development said the services of the four executives – chief operating officer Abraham Zachariah, two senior vice-presidents and the head of training – were terminated for their direct involvement in the party that appeared to have been hosted days after the Ahmedabad plane crash. AISATS is a joint venture between Tata Group-owned Air India and Singapore's SATS Ltd, a global provider of gateway and food solutions. In India, the company offers a range of airport services, including ground handling and cargo operations. In a statement, AISATS said it stood in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI 171 and expressed regret over the lapse in judgment shown in the internal video. 'At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI 171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video. The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm our commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability,' its spokesperson said. The statement didn't mention when the party took place. The backlash began after a video posted on X on June 20, appeared to show AISATS staff dancing to music during an in-office celebration. Many people criticised the party that appeared to have been hosted just days after the London-bound Air India 171 flight crashed just outside Ahmedabad airport, killing around 260 people. The video sparked outrage on social media, with many users calling the event insensitive and disrespectful to the victims' families still mourning their loss. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently investigating the crash of AI-171.
News18
11 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Air India Venture Sacks 4 Senior Staff For Office Party Days After Ahmedabad Crash
Last Updated: The party was reportedly hosted at AISATS' Gurugram office just days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad Four senior executives of Air India SATS, the airport gateway services provider for the airline, were terminated from their services after a video showing employees partying in the workplace in the backdrop of the fatal Air India plane crash went viral on social media, which elicited criticism from various quarters. However, the company did not mention the date when the party took place, but the party was reportedly hosted at AISATS' Gurugram office just days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 275 people. What's In The Video? The now-viral video purportedly showed the company's Chief Operating Officer, Abraham Zachariah, dancing alongside staff members as upbeat music plays in the background. The timing of the celebration has been widely condemned, with many calling it insensitive given that families of crash victims were still awaiting the return of their loved ones' bodies. It has only been a few days since the tragic Ahmedabad plane families have not yet been able to see their loved ones for the last time; several bodies have still not been handed over. Grief hangs heavy in households, funeral pyres are yet to cool. And at such a… — Squint Neon (@TheSquind) June 22, 2025 Reportedly, four senior employees—including SVP Sampreet, SVP Baljinder, the Training Head, and COO Abraham Zacariah—have been asked to resign. The company's top leadership has also issued a warning to other employees against engaging in such irresponsible conduct in the workplace. 'At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI 171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video. The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm our commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability," the company said in the statement, as reported by news agency PTI. Ahmedabad Plane Crash India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on Thursday after a London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. 241 out of 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 (AI 171) and 34 on the ground, were killed in the crash. The deceased include 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children. So far, 256 bodies have been handed over to their families, while the DNA identification process for the remaining remains ongoing. One person survived the tragedy. The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Gujarat health department gave the official figure of casualties of the tragedy. The announcement of the death toll was delayed as authorities were verifying the DNA matches of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Many bodies were charred beyond recognition as the aircraft burst into flames or were damaged on impact. The aircraft had 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, on board.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India venture sacks four seniors for office party soon after plane crash
Four senior executives at Air India SATS (AISATS) have been asked to resign after a video of an office party in Gurugram went viral, sparking widespread outrage. The video surfaced just days after the devastating Air India flight AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, which killed 259 people and left the nation in mourning. The clip, which featured AISATS Chief Operating Officer Abraham Zachariah and other staff members dancing to loud music, was widely circulated on social media. The timing of the celebration—held shortly after one of India's deadliest aviation disasters—was widely condemned as tone-deaf and deeply insensitive. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London, crashed into a hostel for medical students at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff. Of the 260 people on board, only one survived. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'Swing is King': Mr. Hemant's Strategy Finally Explained in Free Session TradeWise Learn More Undo — TheSquind (@TheSquind) As grieving families awaited the repatriation of victims' remains, the video drew sharp criticism for its perceived lack of empathy. Many users on social media slammed the company for insensitivity and poor judgment. Live Events In response, AISATS issued a statement saying, 'At AISATS, we stand in solidarity with the families affected by the tragic loss of AI171 and deeply regret the lapse in judgment reflected in a recent internal video. The behaviour does not align with our values, and firm disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible as we reaffirm our commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability.' While AISATS did not specify when the party occurred, sources confirmed that four senior staff members were terminated for their direct involvement in organizing the event. AISATS is a joint venture between Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, and Singapore-based SATS Ltd., a global leader in airport services. The company emphasized that disciplinary action had been taken to uphold its ethical standards, but the damage to its public image amid a national tragedy has already drawn significant backlash.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Air India baggage handling company apologises after video shows staff partying days after crash
A viral video showing senior officials from Air India's partner company dancing at a staff party has caused widespread anger, with the celebrations taking place just days after the deadly crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on 12 June. Air India SATS has released a statement regarding the viral video showing a senior executive partying with other members of staff less than 10 days after the fatal plane crash, saying the footage was 'completely out of context'. Air India SATS (AISATS) is a 50-50 joint venture between Air India Limited, a Tata Group company, and SATS Ltd, a Singapore-based firm formerly known as Singapore Airport Terminal Services. The partnership specialises in providing airport services, including baggage handling, across Indian airports. The footage shows Abraham Zachariah, chief operating officer of Air India SATS (AISATS), dancing with other staff members as loud music plays during a party held at the company's Gurugram office on 20 June. In a statement, the company said: 'AISATS is aware of a video being circulated on social media that unfortunately is completely out of context. 'Notwithstanding, we sincerely regret any emotional discomfort this may have caused,' the statement said, IANS reported. It has only been a few days since the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash. Many families have not yet been able to see their loved ones for the last time; several bodies have still not been handed over. Grief hangs heavy in households, funeral pyres are yet to cool. And at such a… — Squint Neon (@TheSquind) June 22, 2025 The viral video triggered outrage on social media, as the celebration occurred while many families were still waiting to receive the bodies of crash victims. The footage drew strong criticism from users on X. Problem with Indian corporates is that they don't have heart, only thing matter is money. If someone dies let's give some money to victim's family, no accountability, no investigation & no arrest. They just create a public image through charity, so no question asked. — Big_Sarcastic (@Big_sarcastic) June 22, 2025 One user wrote: 'Problem with Indian corporates is that they don't have heart, only thing matter is money. If someone dies let's give some money to victim's family, no accountability, no investigation & no arrest. They just create a public image through charity, so no question asked.' Another user replied: 'Would've been more advisable for you to defer and not host parties at such times @airindia.' Air India guys are shameless and pathetic — Gulmohar 🌸 (@Bekaarbaate) June 22, 2025 Another user called it 'pathetic and highly insensitive', and another said: 'You should be ashamed of yourselves. I hope you clowns are grounded.' The devastating Air India crash occurred at around 2pm local time on 12 June, when a London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunged into accommodation for medical students at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College just moments after take-off. It was the first crash of its kind involving a Boeing 787 anywhere in the world. The Independent has reached out to AISATS for further comment.
