Air India Faces Major Crisis Following Deadly Plane Crash

The tragic crash of an Air India plane on June 12, which claimed the lives of more than 200 passengers, has thrown the airline into a serious crisis, undermining its efforts to enhance its image and update its aging fleet. The Tata Group's acquisition of the airline in 2022 sparked hopes of revitalization through investments aimed at addressing persistent issues such as frequent flight delays, customer dissatisfaction, a lack of spare parts, delays in aircraft deliveries, and ongoing financial challenges.

Experts emphasize the necessity of modern aircraft and rigorous maintenance for the airline's future viability. Vibhuti Deora, a former legal advisor at India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, highlighted that maintaining high safety standards is critical, particularly considering Air India’s troubled history involving past incidents, like the fatal 2010 crash of a Boeing 737 that resulted in 158 deaths and another deadly runway accident in 2020 involving its low-cost subsidiary.

Just days before the crash, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed the importance of India's aviation sector at a significant conference, yet the airline faced a grim reality as it altered its brand representation online, shifting to a black and grey color scheme in remembrance of the disaster. Communications consultant Dilip Cherian pointed out that safety is paramount for an airline's reputation, and this incident will severely impact Air India’s brand identity and commitment to safety.