Aviation experts and investigators are piecing together the possible causes behind the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, resulting in over 200 fatalities and marking the worst aviation disaster in a decade.

The aircraft, carrying 242 people—including 230 passengers and 12 crew—crashed at an altitude of just 625 feet, with video footage and eyewitness accounts indicating that the plane struggled to gain altitude, failed to achieve sufficient lift, and descended rapidly before exploding on impact.

Initial analysis by commercial pilots and aviation analysts has highlighted several anomalies observed in the moments leading up to the crash. Notably, the plane’s landing gear remained down longer than usual after takeoff, and the wing flaps did not appear to be set in the correct position for takeoff, both of which are critical for generating the necessary lift at low speeds.

Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein noted that without proper flap deployment, the aircraft would not have been able to climb effectively, potentially explaining the rapid loss of altitude. He also speculated that a hydraulic issue could have prevented the landing gear from retracting, though he emphasized that these are early observations based on limited video evidence.

The cockpit crew issued a Mayday distress call shortly after departure, indicating severe trouble almost immediately after becoming airborne. Experts believe the pilots may have been attempting to pull the aircraft’s nose up to regain lift, but with insufficient engine thrust and possibly compromised aerodynamic configuration, the plane continued to lose altitude.

The maximum speed achieved was reported to be just 174 knots—well below what would be expected—suggesting the engines were not delivering adequate power.

While the exact cause remains undetermined, several possible scenarios are under consideration. These include a major technical failure such as engine malfunction or fuel starvation, multiple bird strikes, or a critical hydraulic issue affecting the landing gear and flaps. Some analysts have also raised the possibility of a double engine failure, which, while rare, could explain the rapid loss of lift and descent.

Despite speculation, experts stress that only data from the aircraft’s black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—will provide definitive answers, as they contain vital information on the aircraft’s configuration, engine performance, and cockpit communications in the final moments.

Authorities, including India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and international agencies, are prioritizing the recovery and analysis of these recorders, with preliminary findings expected in the coming days.

In the meantime, the aviation community and the public await clarity on what led to this unprecedented tragedy involving a model with an otherwise impeccable safety record

An Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport on Friday after a bomb threat note was discovered on board, prompting a swift and comprehensive security response. The incident occurred shortly after Flight AI 379, carrying 156 passengers and crew, departed Phuket at 9:30 AM local time.

The threat came to light when a handwritten message reading “F*** you all bomb” was found in one of the plane’s lavatories, which crew members immediately reported to authorities.

Following standard emergency protocols, the pilots circled the Andaman Sea before returning to Phuket, where the airport activated its Airport Contingency Plan. The aircraft was directed to an isolated parking bay, and all passengers were evacuated and taken to a secure holding area for thorough screening alongside their luggage.

Firefighters, police, and medical teams were positioned on the tarmac, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams conducted systematic searches of the aircraft and cargo hold.

Despite an extensive investigation, no explosives or suspicious items were found, and authorities could not determine who wrote the threatening note. Police questioned several suspects but were unable to identify the perpetrator. Air India conducted an internal review, focusing on passengers seated near the restroom and a family involved in a seating dispute, but declined to provide further details as the investigation is ongoing.

After several hours and a full security sweep, 155 of the original 156 passengers were cleared to continue their journey to New Delhi, with one Indian male passenger opting not to travel further—though he was not considered a suspect. The incident did not disrupt other airport operations, and Thai officials emphasized that all safety standards were rigorously followed.

This bomb threat came just a day after a deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which killed over 240 people, intensifying scrutiny on the airline’s safety protocols. The Indian aviation sector has also seen a dramatic rise in bomb threats, with nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages recorded in the first ten months of last year—almost ten times the total from 2023. A full report on the Phuket incident is expected within 30 days, as authorities in both Thailand and India continue their investigations.

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Ahmedabad on Thursday when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff en route to London Gatwick Airport. The crash, which occurred in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulted in at least 240 fatalities, including passengers, crew, and reportedly some individuals on the ground.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, where images showed towering plumes of black smoke and burning wreckage as rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors.

Remarkably, there was one reported survivor: 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. According to officials and hospital sources, Ramesh had been seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the burning aircraft by jumping out after the crash. He was found disoriented and with multiple injuries but is reportedly out of danger and receiving treatment at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh described the chaos: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital,” he told the Hindustan Times.

The doomed flight was carrying a diverse group of passengers: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control less than a minute after takeoff, plummeting into a residential area and reportedly striking the dining hall of a medical college hostel, which may have contributed to the high death toll. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow and assured that all possible support was being provided to the victims and their families.

As investigations continue, Air India and government officials have pledged full support for affected families, while the airline’s CEO confirmed that a special team is on the ground to assist with relief efforts. The crash has shocked the nation and the international community, with many awaiting further details as authorities sift through the wreckage in search of answers.

An Emirates Airline Boeing 777 flight bound for Dubai was forced to abort its take-off at Chennai International Airport on June 8, 2025, after pilots detected a technical fault while taxiing from Terminal D1 at around 9:50 a.m. local time. The flight crew immediately halted the aircraft on the taxiway and alerted the airport’s control room, prompting emergency response teams to tow the plane back to its designated parking area, where Emirates engineers began diagnostics.

All 312 passengers were initially kept onboard during troubleshooting, but as the fault could not be resolved, the flight was officially canceled at 12:20 p.m. Passengers were then deboarded and accommodated at hotels across Chennai, with alternative flights arranged for those with urgent travel needs. Emirates later confirmed that the canceled flight would be rescheduled for departure either late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, depending on aircraft readiness. The airline issued an apology and reiterated that passenger safety remains its top priority.

This incident follows a similar emergency at Chennai International Airport less than a month earlier. On May 11, 2025, Emirates flight EK543, also a Boeing 777-300ER, was forced to return to Chennai shortly after takeoff due to a mid-air technical glitch. The pilot detected the issue minutes after departure, contacted Air Traffic Control, and received priority clearance for an emergency landing.

The aircraft, carrying 268 passengers and 12 crew members, landed safely at 11:17 a.m. Emergency protocols were activated, and engineers resolved the fault within 90 minutes, allowing the flight to resume its journey to Dubai the same day. No injuries were reported, and the incident was praised for the swift and coordinated response by both Emirates and Chennai airport authorities.

Chennai International Airport, handling over 22 million passengers annually, has demonstrated strong emergency preparedness and coordination with airlines during such incidents. Emirates, which operates 21 weekly flights between Chennai and Dubai, has maintained a spotless safety record with no fatalities in its 40-year history, reinforcing passenger confidence in the airline’s operational standards.

In addition to technical issues, Emirates flights at Chennai have faced other safety challenges. On June 5, 2025, an Emirates Boeing 777 was struck by a green laser during its final approach, temporarily blinding the pilots and forcing an aborted landing attempt before a safe touchdown was achieved. These incidents highlight the importance of robust safety protocols and the ongoing vigilance required to ensure passenger safety in modern aviation

Air Karachi, Pakistan’s latest private airline, is gearing up to launch its domestic flight operations after securing its Regular Public Transport (RPT) licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), marking a significant milestone in the country’s aviation sector. Headquartered in Karachi, the airline is the result of a strategic alliance among some of the city’s most influential business leaders, including Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD Group), Arif Habib (Arif Habib Limited), S.M.

Tanveer, Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, Hanif Gohar, and Hamza Tabani, with each shareholder contributing Rs50 million towards an initial investment pool of Rs5 billion.

The airline’s leadership is under the stewardship of retired Air Vice Marshal Syed Imran Majid Ali, who brings extensive aviation and military experience as the former Southern Commander of the Pakistan Air Force. Air Karachi will commence operations with a fleet of three leased aircraft, with plans to expand both its fleet and route network in the future.

The business model is inspired by the successful launch of AirSial, another business-backed airline, and aims to enhance connectivity across Pakistan, particularly focusing on underserved cities and key business travel corridors.

The airline has been formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and its application for operational licensing has been submitted to the federal government. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), led by President Atif Ikram Sheikh, has strongly endorsed the venture, highlighting its potential to promote economic self-reliance, create jobs, and stimulate growth in the aviation sector.

FPCCI’s involvement as a major shareholder further underscores the project’s significance as a model for public-private collaboration and economic revitalization.

Air Karachi’s launch comes amid a surge of new entrants in Pakistan’s aviation market, with other airlines such as Jet Green, Q Airways, and Go Green Air also seeking regulatory approval to operate on domestic routes. Currently, three private airlines—SereneAir, AirSial, and Airblue—compete alongside the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which is undergoing privatization efforts.

The introduction of Air Karachi is expected to increase competition, improve service standards, and offer more choices to travelers, while also providing much-needed employment opportunities within the sector.

Looking ahead, Air Karachi’s management has indicated intentions to expand into international markets once domestic operations are firmly established and regulatory approvals are secured. The airline’s entry is widely seen as a positive indicator for Pakistan’s economic outlook and a testament to the growing confidence of the business community in the country’s aviation industry.

Emirates has officially expanded its East Asia network to 23 destinations with the introduction of new services to Da Nang, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, both routed via Bangkok, Thailand. The inaugural flights were celebrated in early June 2025, with Da Nang welcomed on June 2 and Siem Reap on June 3, featuring traditional water cannon salutes and ceremonies attended by government dignitaries and Emirates’ leadership.

These new routes are operated by Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, renowned for their two-class configuration, offering 35 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 386 seats in Economy Class, along with Emirates’ signature onboard products and award-winning service.

The Da Nang route operates four times weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday), while the Siem Reap route is available three times weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). Both services allow travelers to book seamless journeys across Dubai, Bangkok, and their final destination with a single ticket, enhancing convenience and connectivity.

Bangkok’s role as a regional aviation hub is further elevated, serving as a strategic gateway for Emirates to Vietnam and Cambodia. Da Nang now becomes Emirates’ third gateway in Vietnam, joining Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and is positioned as a vital link for high-value cargo such as electronics, textiles, and perishables.

Emirates’ Vietnam operations are further strengthened by partnerships and memoranda of understanding with local carriers like Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, and Sun Group, aiming to boost air connectivity and promote inbound tourism.

For Cambodia, the new Dubai–Bangkok–Siem Reap route complements Emirates’ existing daily service to Phnom Penh via Singapore, raising the airline’s presence in Cambodia to 10 weekly flights. These expanded services are strategically designed to attract leisure travelers, particularly from Europe, and to foster business and cultural exchanges under the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with both Cambodia and Vietnam.

Overall, these new routes underscore Emirates’ commitment to deepening regional connectivity during a period of rapid growth in travel and trade, while offering travelers greater flexibility and access to some of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant destinations.