Air India Flight to London Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad; Casualties Feared

An Air India flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday , with 242 passengers and crew on board.

Flight AI171 departed around 2:00 PM local time before going down near the airport perimeter. Thick smoke and flames were seen rising from the site, with emergency services rushing to contain the fire and evacuate survivors.

Air India confirmed the incident on X, stating it was “ascertaining details”. Sources told Hindustan Times the aircraft had recently undergone refurbishment, and initial signs point to a possible engineering fault.

Injured passengers have been taken to the city’s civil hospital, while casualty figures are still unconfirmed. Police and fire officials remain on-site as rescue operations continue.

An investigation is underway, and authorities urge the public to follow official updates via airindia.com and government channels.