Everything we know so far about UK-bound plane that crashed with 242 people on board after take off

An Air India flight that was heading to the UK and was carrying over 200 passengers has crashed in the city of Ahmedabad.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was headed for London Gatwick Airport, the airline told Sky News in a statement.

It read: “We can confirm that flight AI171 that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

The plane is reported to have crashed shortly after taking off on Thursday morning (12 June).

Read on for everything we know so far.

London's Gatwick Airport has confirmed the plane was due to land there this evening (Getty Stock Image)

Who was on board the plane and where was it going?

In a statement posted on social media, Air India said: “The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew members on board.”

The airline also confirmed that 53 British nationals were on board the flight.

The flight was intended to arrive at London's Gatwick Airport at 18:25.

Signal was reportedly lost at 625 feet in the air and the crash took place five minutes after taking off at 1:38pm local time, Kidwai confirmed.

The plane is reported to have crashed just outside Ahmedabad's airport perimeter in a residential area called Meghani Nagar.

Videos and photographs from the scene have shown clouds of grey smoke rising over the residential area where the crash is said to have taken place and emergency teams have been deployed at the scene.

This is the first crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

Photos from the scene show a large grey cloud of smoke (Sky News)

What has the Chairman of Air India said?

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Air India, has since released a statement, confirming the tragic accident.

It read: “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”

The statement continued: “At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.

“We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.

“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families.”

Who else has made a statement?

Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, has also issued a statement.

He wrote on X: “I am deeply saddened by the accident of the Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. I have instructed the officials to take immediate rescue and relief operations in the accident and to make arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing.”

He added: “I have also instructed to arrange a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all the treatment arrangements in the hospital on priority.

“The Honorable Union Home Minister Shri Amitbhai Shah has also spoken to me and assured full support of the NDRF teams and the Central Government for the rescue and relief operations in this plane crash.”

And a spokesperson for Air India said: “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025.

“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”

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