In a stark and somber gesture of mourning, Air India has blacked out its social media presence following the catastrophic crash of Flight AI171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The crash, which occurred on June 12, claimed over 200 lives, with only one confirmed survivor.
On Wednesday morning, Air India removed its signature red branding from all official platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. Its profile and cover photos were replaced with plain black placeholders, while the homepage of the airline’s website also appeared in monochrome—a visual tribute to those lost in one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent Indian history.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Flight AI171. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims,” the airline said in a statement. The company has established an emergency helpline (+91 1800‑5691‑444) to provide support to the families of passengers and crew.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London, crashed shortly after departing Ahmedabad airport under unclear circumstances. Rescue efforts were swift but grim. Officials later confirmed the death toll at over 200, including both Indian nationals and foreign passengers. One individual was miraculously pulled from the wreckage alive.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged the tragedy in a public address, praising the swift response by local authorities while urging a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash. Civil aviation and defense officials have since cordoned off the site, and a high-level inquiry has been ordered.
The act of “going dark” on social media is a symbolic yet powerful message—one that signals both grief and accountability. Air India, now part of the Tata Group’s aviation portfolio, is under mounting scrutiny not just over the incident itself, but for its crisis response and preparedness.
This is not the first time an airline has engaged in symbolic mourning on digital platforms, but the visual blackout by Air India has drawn widespread attention, underscoring the emotional weight of the tragedy and the gravity of the investigation that now follows.
