Plane crash in India: Shock for Air India and global markets!

Plane crash in India: Shock for Air India and global markets!

On June 15, 2025, a tragic aviation disaster occurred when an Air India Airbus crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India. The flight was on its way to London-Gatwick and was in the air only a short time after takeoff. There were more than 240 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was only 11 years old and had the registration VT-ANB.

The incident is considered the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade and raises profound questions about the safety of the Boeing Dreamliner. While initial reports of the crash suggested at least 30 dead were recovered from a nearby building, the exact number of victims remains unknown for now. The passengers also included 53 Brits, 7 Portuguese and 1 Canadian. The plane made an emergency call before crashing into a residential area.

Economic impact and ambitions

The crash comes at a time when Air India had big growth plans. The airline's CEO, Campbell Wilson, emphasized in 2023 that air cargo volumes in India should increase to 10 million tons by 2030. In June 2025, Wilson reiterated the goal of developing Air India into a world-class airline. Together with its competitor Indigo, both airlines are aiming for annual growth rates of at least 20 percent and are planning international expansion.

India could become the world's third largest economy by 2027. This was predicted by Indigo CEO Pieter Elbers, while economist BVR Subrahmanyam even predicts that India could become the largest economy within two years. However, the financial damage caused by the plane crash remains unclear and could significantly impact Air India's future growth and business model.

Focus on safety investigations

The Indian government immediately launched an investigation into the accident. Key aspects of the crash, including engine thrust, flaps and landing gear, are the focus of the investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials expressed their condolences and shock at the tragedy. Air India CEO Natarajan Chandrasekaran confirmed the accident and noted that an emergency center had been set up for the relatives.

The intense discussion about the causes of this accident raises not only the question of safety, but also the complexity of the operational challenges facing the Indian aviation industry. Given the positive economic outlook for India, it remains to be seen how this misfortune will impact the industry's plans.

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