Air India Partner Apologizes After Staff Party Video Surfaces Following Crash

A partner company of Air India has issued an apology following the circulation of a video depicting staff members celebrating shortly after the tragic AI171 crash on June 12. The video, which went viral, showed senior officials from Air India SATS (AISATS) dancing at a staff party, leading to widespread public anger.

Air India SATS, a joint venture between Air India Limited and SATS Ltd, a Singapore-based firm, specializes in providing airport services, including baggage handling, at various Indian airports. The footage shows Abraham Zachariah, the chief operating officer of AISATS, along with other staff members, dancing at a party held at the company's Gurugram office on June 20.

In response to the video, an AISATS spokesperson released a statement expressing deep regret for the lapse in judgment. The statement emphasized that the behavior displayed did not align with the company's values and that disciplinary action had been taken against those involved. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to empathy, professionalism, and accountability.

The party's timing, occurring while many families were still awaiting the return of their loved ones' remains, sparked significant outrage. The crash, which occurred on June 12, resulted in the deaths of 260 people when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor, recounted his experience, expressing both shock at his survival and grief for his brother, who perished in the accident.