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Ex-Aviation Minister Praful Patel criticised the silence of Singapore Airlines, a major shareholder responsible for Air India’s maintenance, in the Ahmedabad plane crash.
Former Civil Aviation Minister and NCP MP Praful Patel. (PTI File Image)
Singapore Airlines, which is a major shareholder in Air India, came under scrutiny after former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel criticised the airline’s “ignorance” as the nation reels from the tragedy of last week’s plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Notably, Air India Flight AI-171, which was bound for London, crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing all but one of the 242 passengers onboard, along with 29 others on the ground.
As the world grieved the tragic loss of Indian, British, Portuguese, and Canadian lives, Praful Patel criticised Singapore Airlines – a major shareholder in the Indian carrier and responsible for maintaining several of its aircraft – for remaining silent on the tragedy.
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“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 wrote on X.
Singapore Airlines is involved in Air India’s maintenance, specifically through its engineering arm, SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC). SIAEC is a strategic partner in developing Air India’s new base maintenance facilities in Bengaluru.
Singapore Airlines Respond After Patel’s Remarks
Patel further said, “They seem to be in hiding. 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. He previously served as CEO of their low-cost subsidiary, Scoot Airlines.”
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.Guess the…
– Patel dust (@Praful_patel) June 18, 2025
Soon after Patel’s remarks, the Singaporean airline issued a statement, saying, “The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group extends our 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.”
A day after the Ahmedabad crash, shares of Singapore Airlines closed at SGD 6.94, down 1.28% from its previous close, as per reports. Singapore Airlines had offered several Air India pilots the opportunity to join Scoot Airlines.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Tuesday that the recent inspection of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet has not revealed any significant safety issues, after the fleet came under intense scrutiny from aviation authorities.
At least 163 victims have so far been identified through DNA matching and 124 bodies handed over to their families, according to officials on Tuesday. Of the 71 injured persons admitted to the hospital after the crash, nine are currently undergoing treatment while two died during treatment.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
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