Latest news with #BoeingIndia
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Passenger on doomed Air India flight's earlier journey said nothing was working
Passenger on doomed Air India flight's earlier journey said nothing was working Akash Vatsa said he had been on the same plane that crashed in Ahmedabad, India, on Friday, and had noticed a number of problems with the aircraft Parts of the Air India plane that crashed yesterday, strewn across the crash site (Image: AP ) A passenger, who had earlier flown on the same plane that crashed in western India, has come forward to report several issues with the aircraft. Akash Vatsa took to social media to recount his experience on the Air India flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad, just two hours before the same aircraft was scheduled to depart for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad. During his flight, he said he "noticed unusual things in the plane" which was Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. He captured his observations in a video, which he shared with Air India, requesting that they get in touch with him for further information. Boeing India, alongside various media outlets, were also tagged in the post. Content cannot be displayed without consent According to Vatsa's account, the air conditioning system was not working, forcing numerous passengers to improvise by using in-flight magazines as makeshift fans, reports the Mirror. The passenger then turned the camera on himself, visibly sweating, before highlighting another issue: "As usual, your TV screens are also not working." Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Article continues below He continued his critique, pointing out that "nothing is working, not even the light is working" and posed a question to Air India: "Is this what you are providing?". Flight Radar data revealed that the flight touched down in Ahmedabad at 11:16am local time. The same Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner subsequently took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm local time (9:08 am BST), bound for London Gatwick Airport. Tragically, mere minutes after lifting off, the plane met with disaster, plummeting into a residential area. The aircraft was carrying 242 individuals which included 53 British citizens, 169 from India, along with seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. After initial reports indicated a total loss of life, when to the city's head of police spoke to the news agency AP, there was a glimmer of hope when Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik disclosed to ANI that one person miraculously survived. The distressing incident was captured on video, revealing the moment the plane struck a facility used by medical students for dining before being engulfed in flame and thick black smoke. Responding to the calamity, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound shock and sorrow: "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. "It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected." Similarly, Britain's Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, released a heartfelt statement, declaring: "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating." He continued: "I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time." Mathrubhumi News, an Indian media outlet, reported that Air India's flight AI-171 was grounded in December 2024 due to a "major technical snag". The incident led to scrutiny over "maintenance lapses and flight safety procedures" as per the outlet, yet the aircraft was subsequently given the all-clear to resume flying, according to the Express. In the aftermath of the crash, Air India announced that those injured were being transported to hospital and established a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 for further information. An additional contact number +91 8062779200 was also made available for international callers. The carrier stated it was providing "its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident". Several hours following the accident, Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, issued a video statement on social media platforms. He conveyed the airline's "deep sorrow" regarding the tragic event and emphasised that their focus would be "entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families, and loved ones". Wilson acknowledged the presence of "many questions" surrounding the incident but stated he would "not be able to answer all of them". He added: "We are actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts." In a communication to the Mirror, Air India stated: "We would like to inform you that Air India is closely coordinating with all relevant authorities, and any verified updates or official statements will be shared through our official communication channels." Article continues below It further stated: "We remain committed to transparency and will continue to share updates as appropriate."
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
'Nothing is working' Air India 171 passenger said two hours before plane crashed killing hundreds
Akash Vatsa travelled on the doomed aircraft earlier today and spotted problems. A passenger who was travelling on an earlier flight on the same Air India plane that went on to crash in western India, has claimed that there were a number of problems with the aircraft during his flights. Akash Vatsa said he had taken a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad and was on the plane (a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner) two hours before it was set to fly from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. He said he 'noticed unusual things in the plane' and captured footage to show Air India. He asked the airline to contact him for more information and also tagged Boeing India and some news outlets, reports the Mirror. Vatsa said the air conditioning was not working and many other passengers were using the in-flight magazines to fan themselves. He turned the camera around to show himself sweating. He continued: 'As usual, your TV screens are also not working.' The passenger said that 'nothing is working, not even the light is working' and asked Air India: 'Is this what you are providing?' Information on Flight Radar shows that the flight arrived in Ahmedabad at 11.16am local time this morning. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner next took off from Ahmedabad at 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST), heading to London Gatwick Airport. However, just a few minutes following take-off, it crashed into a residential area. Aboard the plane were 242 people including 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese people, and one Canadian. Initial reports claimed there appeared to be no survivors, the city's chief of police told AP, but it has since emerged that there was one survivor, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told news agency ANI. Horrifying footage shows the plane hitting a dining hall for medical students and exploding into a ball of fire and black smoke. Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister said: 'The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.' Sir Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, also issued a statement, writing: 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.' He added: 'I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' An Indian news outlet, Mathrubhumi News, reported that flight AI-171 was grounded in December 2024 due to a 'major technical snag'. The outlet said that this sparked criticism over 'maintenance lapses and flight safety procedures', but the plane was later cleared to continue operations, per the Express. Following the news of the crash, Air India said that the injured were being taken to hospital and a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 had been set up to provide more information. Another number +91 8062779200 was set up for foreign nationals. The airline said it was giving 'its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident'. Campbell Wilson, Air India's CEO, posted a video statement on social media several hours after the crash. He said the airline wanted to express its 'deep sorrow' over the event, and that efforts would be focused 'entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families, and loved ones'. Wilson said there were 'many questions' but that he would 'not be able to answer all of them'. He continued: 'We are actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts." Air India said in a statement: "We would like to inform you that Air India is closely coordinating with all relevant authorities, and any verified updates or official statements will be shared through our official communication channels." It added: "We remain committed to transparency and will continue to share updates as appropriate."
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Passenger on previous Air India 171 flight noticed worrying details about plane
A passenger who had been on board the plane that crashed in western India on an earlier flight has claimed there were a number of things wrong with the aircraft A passenger who was travelling on an earlier Air India flight, on the same plane that went on to crash in western India, has claimed that there were a number of problems with the aircraft. Akash Vatsa said he had taken a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad and was on the plane (a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner) two hours before it was set to fly from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. He said he 'noticed unusual things in the plane' and made a video to show Air India. He asked the airline to contact him for more information and also tagged Boeing India and some news outlets. Vatsa said the air conditioning was not working and many customers were using the in-flight magazines to fan themselves. He turned the camera around to show himself sweating. He continued: 'As usual, your TV screens are also not working.' The passenger said that 'nothing is working, not even the light is working' and asked Air India: 'Is this what you are providing?' Information on Flight Radar shows that the flight arrived in Ahmedabad at 11.16am local time. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner then took off from Ahmedabad at 1.38pm local time (9.08am BST), heading to London Gatwick Airport. However, just a few minutes after take-off, it crashed into a residential area. Aboard the plane were 242 people including 53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese people, and one Canadian. Initial reports claimed there appeared to be no survivors, the city's police chief told AP, but it has since emerged that there was one survivor, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik told news agency ANI. Horrifying footage shows the plane hitting a dining hall for medical students and erupting into a ball of fire and black smoke. Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister said: 'The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.' Sir Keir Starmer, the British prime minister, also issued a statement, writing: 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.' He added: 'I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' An Indian news outlet, Mathrubhumi News, reported that flight AI-171 was grounded in December 2024 due to a 'major technical snag'. The outlet said that this sparked criticism over 'maintenance lapses and flight safety procedures', but the plane was later cleared to continue operations, per the Express. Following the news of the crash, Air India said that the injured were being taken to hospital and a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 had been set up to provide more information. Another number +91 8062779200 was set up for foreign nationals. The airline said it was giving 'its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident'. Campbell Wilson, Air India's CEO, shared a video statement on social media several hours after the crash. He said the airline wanted to express its 'deep sorrow' over the event, and that efforts would be focused 'entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families, and loved ones'. Wilson said there were 'many questions' but that he would 'not be able to answer all of them'. He continued: 'We are actively working with the authorities on all emergency response efforts." Air India told the Mirror in a statement: "We would like to inform you that Air India is closely coordinating with all relevant authorities, and any verified updates or official statements will be shared through our official communication channels." It added: "We remain committed to transparency and will continue to share updates as appropriate."
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Rammohan Naidu lauds Boeing's health care initiative
Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu on Friday lauded Boeing India's health care initiative that ensures poor patients get treatment in Government General Hospital of Vizianagaram. In association with Doctors For You (DFY) organisation, Boeing provided essential diagnostic and therapeutic tools to ensure more patient car in the hospital. In the presence of the Union Minister, Boeing's chief of staff and CSR wing head Praveena Yagnambhat handed over autoclave, Bera and PTA devices, Elisa Reader, HPLC system, CBC/Hemotology Analyzer, Ureteroscope, Hospital Laundry System and other equipment to the hospital authorities. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister thanked Boeing authorities for selecting remote Srikakulam district for its CSR activities. He urged all other corporate companies to come forward and lend help to kidney patients of Uddanam region.
Economic Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India has opportunity to become net exporter of sustainable aviation fuel: Boeing executive
India has the opportunity to become a net exporter of sustainable aviation fuel as efforts continue to decarbonise aviation globally, a top Boeing executive said on Thursday and highlighted the ample availability of feedstock, including agricultural waste, for producing the fuel. Aviation accounts for around 2-3 per cent of the global carbon emissions, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can help in reducing these emissions. At industry body CII's Annual Business Summit 2025 in the national capital, Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte also said that 2,500 civil aircraft will be coming into India over the next 20 years. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 1,000 aeroplanes over the past few years. While mentioning that the country will have a newer and younger aircraft fleet in the coming years that will also help in decarbonisation, Gupte also said it can be looked at how India can play a role in industrialisation of biofuels for aviation. The barrier for SAF is not going to be aeroplane technology or engineering technology but the supply factor and how the fuel can be made more economical, he noted. Currently, SAF costs 2.5 to 3.5 times more than Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). If the world is to reach the net zero goal for aviation by 2050, it needs to have 185 million tonnes of SAF per year. India's feedstock, whether it is used cooking oil, agricultural waste or the like, will be able to make 8-10 million tonnes of SAF per year. "This means that India can actually provide over 5 per cent of the world's SAF requirements... India can be an exporter of SAF. This creates an opportunity. This means India can help decarbonise the civil aviation industry," Gupte said and added that turning agricultural waste into SAF will be a tremendous opportunity. Boeing, a leading aircraft maker, has a significant presence in India.
