New Delhi, Nov. 24 (LatestNewsX) – Air India CEO Campbell Wilson told reporters that 95 % of the families affected by the 171 Dreamliner crash have already received interim compensation.
Air India Flight 171, which departed from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, for London Gatwick, went down 32 seconds after take‑off on June 12. Of the 12 crew and 229 passengers on board, only one passenger survived. On the ground, 19 people lost their lives and 67 suffered serious injuries.
“We’re doing everything we can to help those impacted. 95 % of families have gotten their interim payments,” Wilson said at the company’s Air India Training Academy in Gurugram.
“About 70 families have also received the ex gratia payment from the AI 171 memorial trust, with another 50 or so pending. We continue to reach out to the affected families, both as Air India and as Tata Sons, offering the support they might need.”
“Our commitment to the families—whether they were on the ground or in the air—will continue for as long as it takes,” the CEO added.
Wilson said the payout process “has been fair and well‑managed.”
He noted that booking rates fell in the first months after the tragedy, partly due to “extraordinary external events, including crises in the Middle East,” but have since rebounded and the volumes are back.
The CEO also highlighted the company’s focus on crew mental health, both before and after the incident.
“The mental well‑being of all staff, especially crew, has been a priority since privatisation. We’ve rolled out several initiatives in recent years, such as on‑site psychologists, confidential third‑party counseling, and a buddy programme that encourages peers to support one another rather than only relying on professionals,” Wilson told LatestNewsX.
“We conduct regular mental‑health assessments throughout the induction and career progression of our crew. The industry is continually strengthening these practices.”
He mentioned that Air India now offers numerous courses to help crew handle interactions with passengers, even those with particular food and beverage preferences.
The airline has also established a cutting‑edge training centre in Gurugram—unlike any other in India—to provide cabin crew and pilots hands‑on experience with turbulence, fire scenarios, pilot incapacitation, and other emergency situations.
“We invest early and benchmark against the world’s best because outsiders often don’t recognise how essential a training facility is for an airline,” Wilson explained.
“It’s about instilling professional standards and building culture. For crew who fly at 36,000 feet daily, these spaces are where they can truly mix, mingle, and interact. We saw it as vital to invest in a facility that demonstrates we’re prepared to build a world‑class airline.”
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