Just eight days after the tragic crash of Flight AI171, which claimed nearly 270 lives, senior executives of Air India SATS (AISATS) were seen dancing at a DJ party in their Gurugram office. The incident, captured on video and now viral on social media, has sparked widespread outrage, especially among grieving families still awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains.
As of June 21, only 202 of the 220 identified victims had been handed over to families. Several bodies remain in morgues pending DNA verification.
Executives Under Fire
The celebration on June 20 was reportedly attended by key officials, including AISATS COO Abraham Zakaria, CFO, and Bengaluru International Airport Limited GM Sampreet Kotian. AISATS, a 50:50 joint venture between Tata Group’s Air India Limited and Singapore’s SATS Ltd, manages ground services for flights, including the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The crash on June 12 occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, when the aircraft suffered a catastrophic engine failure and crashed into a hostel building in a crowded locality. All 241 people on board, along with several on the ground, died. Many victims were severely charred, with identification reliant on forensic testing.
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Company Responds
In response to the growing criticism, AISATS issued a statement saying, “AISATS is aware of a video being circulated on social media that unfortunately is completely out of context. Notwithstanding, we sincerely regret any emotional discomfort this may have caused.”
Public Condemnation
The company’s response has done little to calm public anger. With many families still unable to perform last rites, the timing of the celebration has been labelled as “insensitive” and “shameful” by users online.
Meanwhile, forensic teams, NDRF, and Gujarat government officials continue to work tirelessly to complete the identification and handover process for the remaining victims.