Air India announced on social media the launch of dedicated relief flights, one departing from Delhi (IX1555) at 23:00 hrs on 12 June and returning (IX1556) at 01:10 hrs on 13 June, alongside a Mumbai–Ahmedabad flight (AI1402) at 23:00 hrs and its return (AI1409) at 01:15 hrs. These services are reserved exclusively for the next of kin of affected passengers and airline personnel, offering a vital connection amidst immense distress.
The decision responds to growing concern among families worldwide seeking updates and access to their loved ones. Large numbers have congregated at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad, awaiting critical information. In a time of heightened uncertainty, the relief flights signal both logistical assistance and emotional solidarity. Air India has set up two hotlines for affected individuals: one for domestic callers at 1800 5691 444 and another for those travelling internationally via +91 8062779200. These numbers aim to streamline travel arrangements and ensure clarity amid the chaos. In a broader gesture of support, the Tata Group, which owns the airline, has announced ₹1 crore in ex‑gratia compensation for each of the 242 passengers aboard the flight. Among them were multiple foreign nationals, including an estimated 53 British citizens, underlining the international dimensions of the tragedy.
A senior airline official emphasised that the relief flights were a key aspect of the carrier’s emergency response protocol, designed to reunite families swiftly and reduce distress. “Our responsibility extends beyond transport—we must act with humanity, efficiency and green sensibility,” the official said. While aircraft emissions remain higher per passenger‑kilometre than rail or road travel, placing priority on essential, consolidated flights can reduce overall carbon impact. Air India’s move to concentrate travel on two sorties, rather than ad‑hoc commercial routing, aligns with sustainable crisis logistics by limiting additional resource strain. Transport experts welcomed the development but suggested airports and airlines go further. A sustainable mobility analyst noted, “In crisis, we seek both speed and eco‑efficiency. This focused flight operation is practical today, but future planning should include integrating rail and road‑rail transfers to Ahmedabad for lower‑carbon options.”
Ahmedabad’s civil aviation and transport authorities have positioned the relief flights to arrive overnight, so families can reach the hospital by dawn. Coordinated shuttle services have been activated from Ahmedabad airport to the hospital, ensuring seamless and direct access for compassionate reunification. Meanwhile, rail authorities continue to provide parallel support through emergency train services from Mumbai and Delhi, reinforcing multi‑modal connectivity in crisis response. These combined efforts reflect evolving urban resilience strategies that embrace both carbon‑wise transport options and human needs. The Tata Group’s commitment to compensating families is backed by legal and ethical frameworks related to air disaster protocols. It sends a clear message of corporate responsibility and respect for affected communities. Compensation is being processed alongside support services such as psychological counselling and legal assistance that airline officials say are underway.
Meanwhile, investigations into the crash’s cause remain ongoing under civil aviation authority oversight. Regulatory experts believe that the airline’s swift relief measures should set a precedent, where crisis protocols integrate environmental consciousness and equitable access. Families of the deceased and survivors continue to grapple with loss and uncertainty. Several relatives who arrived in Ahmedabad expressed that the relief flights offered a beacon of hope: “These flights gave us route and reason to come,” said one next of kin, arriving from Mumbai under Air India’s arrangement. Indicative of its gender‑neutral and equitable framing, the airline has not differentiated between passengers and crew by gender in its passenger list or accommodation requests. Priority boarding has been arranged universally according to need, not status, ensuring fair access for all travellers.
Simultaneously, airport authorities are working to augment terminal facilities and temporary lodging for those arriving late at night. Local NGOs and city vehicles are contributing to provisions of snacks, blankets and mental‑health support, a complementary gesture to official measures. Looking ahead, regional planners and airline strategists are calling for sustained integration of relief flight models with greener rail corridors. Achieving net‑zero urban mobility will require planning for emergencies together with impact‑aware logistics.
For now, the relief flights represent a beacon of organised compassion, offering family reunification amid sorrow. They also highlight the need for coordinated, low‑carbon emergency transport planning—uniting flight, rail and road in service of human dignity.
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