Air India is reportedly retiring flight numbers AI171 and AI172 on the London Gatwick-Ahmedabad route, with a change to AI159 and AI160 expected from June 17, 2025. While the airline has not officially confirmed the reason, this move follows the tragic crash of AI171 on June 12, which resulted in over 274 fatalities. The crash involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, impacting a densely populated residential area. A single individual survived the accident. The flight carried 242 people, including Indian, British, Portuguese, and Canadian nationals, along with crew members. Investigations are underway, including examination of the flight recorders and the collection of forensic evidence to determine the cause. Operations on the route will continue under the new flight numbers.
