New Delhi: Just days after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, the airline experienced a notable uptick in pilot sick leave. On June 16, four days after the incident, a total of 112 pilots, including 51 commanders and 61 first officers, reported unfit for duty. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, slamming into a building and leaving 260 people dead. Among the casualties were 241 passengers, crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground. One passenger miraculously survived.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol acknowledged the increase in sick leave filings among pilots but dismissed suggestions of a coordinated action. “Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising of 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2),” Mohol said in a written response.
He also clarified that no mass sick reporting by the crew had taken place after the crash. In the wake of the disaster, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued a medical advisory urging carriers to adopt special mental health training programs. These sessions are intended for both flight crew and air traffic control personnel to help them manage psychological stress and trauma.
“Additionally, on mental health monitoring, organisations (scheduled and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI) were also advised to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) in place for their employees. The organisations are required to enable, facilitate and ensure access to this proactive and non-punitive programme that will assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in recognising, coping with and overcoming any problem,” Mohol noted in a separate reply.
Meanwhile, the government has no specific framework for compensating civilians affected by aviation disasters. Mohol confirmed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation currently does not have a formal policy to provide relief for injuries or damages suffered by individuals on the ground.