Tata chief calls Air India crash ‘most heartbreaking crisis’

New Delhi

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has described the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad as the “most heartbreaking crisis” of his career. Addressing nearly 700 Air India employees and senior officials at the airline’s headquarters and training academy in Gurugram on Monday, Chandrasekaran urged the staff to remain resilient and committed during this difficult period. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing 279 people after the aircraft collided with a medical college complex. The incident has triggered a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash.

Chandrasekaran acknowledged that, while he has dealt with various crises in his professional journey, this particular tragedy was unprecedented and deeply personal. “We must stay the course and be more determined in everything we do,” he said, encouraging staff to transform grief into a driving force for change. Reaffirming the Tata Group’s commitment to aviation safety, he emphasized that passenger well-being has always been the group’s highest priority since acquiring Air India. “There was no compromise on safety,” he stated.

He assured full support for the families of the victims, saying, “To those who suffered irreparable losses, we extend our deepest condolences and complete assistance.” Officials reported that 99 DNA matches have been identified, and 64 bodies have been handed over to the respective families. The investigation remains ongoing as the nation mourns one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.