In a recent interview, N. Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, expressed his heartfelt apologies to those who lost loved ones in the Ahmedabad plane crash, which claimed approximately 270 lives.

During the interview, Chandrasekaran addressed every aspect of the tragic event. He acknowledged the immense sorrow of those who have lost family members, stating that he cannot fully comprehend their pain. He emphasized that the company stands in solidarity with the families of the deceased and injured.

Chandrasekaran described this as an incredibly challenging time, admitting he lacks the words to comfort the bereaved families. He expressed deep regret that the incident occurred with an airline operated by Tata. He reassured the families that they would provide support during this difficult period and beyond.

When asked about the cause of the crash, Chandrasekaran stated that he could not comment until the investigation is complete. He mentioned that the investigation bureau has already begun its work, and the government has formed a high-level committee to determine the causes of the Ahmedabad crash as quickly as possible. He noted that the preliminary report might take about a month to be released.

Chandrasekaran asserted that the aircraft involved, AI171, had a clean history with no prior incidents reported. He highlighted that the right engine was brand new, installed in March 2025, while the left engine had its last service in 2023. The next maintenance check was scheduled for December 2025, but the crash occurred before that could take place.

He noted that both pilots were highly experienced, with Captain Sabharwal having over 11,500 flight hours and First Officer Kundar having more than 3,400 hours. Chandrasekaran mentioned that he had heard from their colleagues that they were excellent pilots, indicating that rushing to conclusions about the crash would be premature. He stated that the black box and flight recorder would ultimately reveal the details of the incident.

When questioned about a recent show-cause notice issued to Air India by the DGCA regarding operational matters, Chandrasekaran clarified that these issues were unrelated to the AI171 aircraft. He emphasized that safety concerns are distinct, as the DGCA would not permit flights if any safety issues were present.

Following the tragedy on June 12, numerous Air India flights have been canceled, causing significant inconvenience for passengers. Chandrasekaran acknowledged the need for better communication with travelers regarding these matters, noting that while the airline operates over 1,100 flights daily, approximately 16 to 18 flights have been canceled each day over the past six days.