Ahmedabad Flight Crash: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Intl Airport Halts All Operations After Air India Mishap

Ahmedabad's SVPIA airport is closed indefinitely after an Air India plane, bound for London with 242 passengers including ex-CM Rupani, crashed.

Flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad have been suspended until further notice following a major Air India plane crash on Thursday. The aircraft, reportedly bound for London, was carrying 242 passengers, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Airport authorities confirmed the complete shutdown of operations at SVPIA in the immediate aftermath of the crash. "As a result of Air India plane crash incident, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, is currently not operational. All flight operations are temporarily suspended until further notice," said SVPIA Spokesperson

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight had 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members, and was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar as co-pilot. The nature and cause of the crash are currently under investigation.

Air India Confirms Flight AI171 Accident In Ahmedabad 

Taking to X, Air India said, "Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals."

"The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," it said. 

Further, Air India said that they would cooperate fully with the authorities investigating the incident.