Ahmedabad plane crash: The Air India - Singapore Airlines connection and the 'surprising silence'

While highlighting the relation between Air India and Singapore Airlines, Praful Patel also said that 'Let's not forget - they have a say in management and a codeshare agreement with Air India... Importantly, Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air India, is a nominee of Singapore Airlines.'

Former Civil Aviation Minister and senior NCP leader Praful Patel, on Wednesday, questioned the lack of response from Singapore Airlines following the devastating crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad last week.

Patel posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account saying it's a 'surprising silence' and 'they seem to be in hiding'.

It should be noted that Singapore Airlines holds a 25.1 per cent stake in Tata Group-operated Air India and also occupies a board seat in the airline.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived, and 241 lost their lives in the tragedy. Twenty-nine others on the ground were also killed.

“In all the sorrow and din surrounding the Air India crash, there remains a surprising silence - or perhaps ignorance - about the role of a substantial shareholder, and the entity responsible for maintaining a large number, if not all, of Air India's wide-body aircraft,” Patel said in a post on X.

“Guess the name: Singapore Airlines. They seem to be in hiding. Let's not forget - they have a say in management and a codeshare agreement with Air India,” said the NCP leader, whose party is aligned with the ruling BJP at the Centre.

Patel also highlighted ties between Singapore Airlines and Air India’s top leadership, added, “Importantly, Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air India, is a nominee of Singapore Airlines. He previously served as CEO of their low-cost subsidiary, Scoot Airlines. Why this deafening silence, SQ?”

Singapore Airlines issued a statement on Wednesday expressing condolences and support.

The airline said, “The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of everyone affected by the devastating Air India flight AI171 accident. We have been in close contact with our partner Tata Sons and Air India, and continue to offer our full support and all necessary assistance to them during this difficult time."

(With PTI inputs)