Key Points

Singapore Airlines issued condolences for the AI-171 crash victims, facing criticism from Praful Patel over their maintenance role. Patel questioned SIA’s silence, noting their management ties with Air India. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran pledged support for grieving families. The crash has raised scrutiny over airline partnerships and accountability.

Key Points: Singapore Airlines Condoles AI-171 Crash as Praful Patel Questions Silence

  • SIA expresses condolences to AI-171 victims' families
  • Praful Patel questions SIA's silence on aircraft maintenance role
  • Air India CEO Campbell Wilson linked to Singapore Airlines
  • Tata Chairman Chandrasekaran pledges support for grieving families
3 min read

Singapore Airlines offers condolences to families of victims in AI-171 plane crash

Singapore Airlines extends condolences for AI-171 crash while Praful Patel criticizes their silence on maintenance role. Air India CEO linked to SIA.

"They seem to be in hiding. Let’s not forget — they have a say in management and a codeshare agreement with Air India. — Praful Patel"

New Delhi, June 19

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group issued a statement extending condolences to the families of the victims in the Air India-171 plane crash. The statement came after Praful Patel, Former Union Aviation Minister and Working President of the NCP, questioned the airlines' silence.

The airlines said in an official statement, "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."

Earlier, Praful Patel shared an X post holding Singapore Airlines accountable. Patel questioned the airline's silence, even though Singapore Airlines is responsible for maintaining many of Air India's wide-body aircraft.

Sharing the X post, Patel said, "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 name: Singapore Airlines."

Patel alleged that the airlines are hiding, while they have a share in the management of Air India.

"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. Why this deafening silence, SQ?" the post read.

Meanwhile, Air India and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Wednesday publicly expressed his sorrow over the London-bound Air India flight crash on June 12, finally breaking his silence after the tragedy during an interview with Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, Navika Kumar.

In an exclusive interview on The NewsHour with Navika Kumar, Chandrasekaran said that the airline was doing everything possible to support the victims' families and that there were no words to console the grieving families, but he pledged that the company would stand with them now and in the future as well.

"It is an extremely difficult situation where I have no words to console any of the families of those who died. I deeply regret that this accident happened in a Tata-run airline. And I feel very sorry. All we can do is to be with the families at this time, grieve with them, and we will do everything to support them at this hour and beyond," the Tata Sons Chairman stated.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
While Singapore Airlines' condolences are appreciated, Praful Patel raises valid questions. If they're involved in maintenance, they should clarify their role transparently. Safety audits must be made public to restore confidence in Indian aviation. 🇮🇳✈️
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Priya M.
This tragedy is heartbreaking. Chandrasekaran's words show Tata's commitment, but we need action - better safety protocols, transparency in aircraft maintenance contracts, and faster compensation for affected families. Hope this becomes a turning point for Air India.
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Arjun S.
Why is this becoming a blame game? First let's mourn the lives lost. Investigations take time - jumping to conclusions helps nobody. Singapore Airlines has now responded, let's wait for DGCA's report before making allegations.
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Sunita R.
As someone who frequently flies Air India, this is terrifying. We passengers deserve to know who maintains these planes and what safety checks are done. Both AI and Singapore Airlines must come clean - not just give PR statements.
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Vikram J.
Praful Patel shouldn't play politics with tragedy. He was aviation minister himself - if maintenance standards were poor, why wasn't it addressed then? Now pointing fingers is easy. The whole system needs overhaul, not selective blame.
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Neha P.
My heart goes out to the families. No compensation can replace their loss. But I'm glad Tata is standing with them - this is the Indian way, to support during tough times. Hope other corporations learn from this humane approach.

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