Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha that the investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last June is progressing well. The London-bound Air India Boeing 787 flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the tragic loss of 260 lives, including 241 passengers on board.
The Minister stated that the investigation is moving forward efficiently, with all necessary resources provided to the AAIB. He mentioned that the report on the crash is expected to be released “very soon,” possibly within the year. Additionally, efforts are being made by the Central government to facilitate flight operations to West Asia for the repatriation of Indian citizens affected by the Iran conflict.
In response to queries during the Question Hour, Union Minister Naidu emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of flight operations to West Asia. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been actively engaging with airlines, issuing directives to guarantee the utmost safety for flights to airports in the region. Travel advisories have also been issued to passengers to prevent any confusion.
Addressing the Parliament, the Minister outlined plans for the civil aviation sector, highlighting the potential opening of 200 new airports in the next two decades. He emphasized the importance of civil aviation for national development and shared projections for significant growth in air travel, aiming to establish 50 new airports within five years and a total of 350 airports in the country over the next 20 years.
