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The Centre is working to complete the investigation into the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad as early as possible while ensuring that the findings are accurate and based on evidence, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been provided with all necessary resources to carry out the probe. The minister also highlighted India's rapid growth in civil aviation infrastructure and stressed the need for skilled professionals to support the sector's continued expansion.
The Central government is making every effort to complete the investigation into the Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad and release the final report at the earliest, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said. However, he stated that the investigation would not be rushed, as the government's priority is to establish the facts accurately and ensure justice for the victims' families.
Speaking to reporters after attending the fourth convocation ceremony of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara as the chief guest, Naidu said the investigation is still underway and every effort is being made to complete it as soon as possible. He said the government is focused on reaching the truth and is providing the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) with all the resources and support required to conduct a thorough investigation. According to the minister, justice for the families of those who lost their lives will only be achieved once the actual facts are established.
The minister's remarks come after the AAIB informed the Supreme Court earlier this week that the draft final investigation report is expected to be ready in October. In its affidavit, the investigation agency also stated that inquiries involving international flight accidents are conducted in accordance with the Chicago Convention and Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which lay down globally accepted procedures for aircraft accident investigations.
The Air India AI-171 crash, which occurred in June 2025, remains one of India's deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. The accident claimed the lives of 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members and 19 people on the ground. The AAIB had earlier recovered and examined critical evidence, including the aircraft's flight recorders, as part of its investigation into the cause of the crash.
During his convocation address, Naidu also spoke about the growth of India's civil aviation sector, highlighting what he described as three key pillars—movement, momentum and mission. He said India's airport network has expanded from 74 airports in 2014 to 165 airports at present, making it one of the fastest airport infrastructure expansion programmes globally.
The minister said the growth has been driven by the development of the entire aviation ecosystem over the past 12 years, creating new employment and career opportunities for students entering the sector. He added that India's aviation industry is witnessing strong passenger growth, with multiple flights operating every minute and airports handling more than 50,000 passengers within a two-hour period, reflecting the increasing scale of domestic air travel.
Naidu said sustaining this pace of growth requires a skilled workforce and noted that institutions such as Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will play an important role in meeting the industry's future manpower requirements. He also stressed that while India continues to build momentum in aviation infrastructure, it must also strengthen its global competitiveness.
Highlighting recent academic initiatives, the minister said that within four months of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a harmonised curriculum for aircraft maintenance engineering has been introduced. The programme is expected to help align technical education with industry requirements and improve the availability of skilled aviation professionals.
Source PTI
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