Harsha Bhogle Applauds Air India Amid Recovery Efforts Following Ahmedabad Crash

Cricket columnist and commentator, Harsha Bhogle turned the spotlight to India’s skies this week—specifically, to Air India. The veteran broadcaster, known for his eloquent insights on the field, took to X on Thursday to praise the national airline after a series of smooth flights between Mumbai and London.

What stood out even more than the praise was the timing. Bhogle’s note of approval came just weeks after the worst tragedy in the airline’s modern history—the crash of Air India Flight AI 171, which claimed over 240 lives in Ahmedabad.

The June 12 accident, involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff en route to London, sent shockwaves across the country and prompted renewed scrutiny of Air India’s safety protocols and operational competence.

“The quality of onboard service is a given with Indian crews, but they were exceptional and I was very happy with the overall flying experience,” Bhogle wrote in his post, clarifying that it wasn’t a sponsored endorsement. “I can see the change they’ve been talking about,” he added, referring to the airline’s ongoing transformation since being taken over by the Tata Group.

A Voice That Resonated

The post quickly garnered attention. Not only because Bhogle’s voice carries authority, but also because it arrived during a fragile moment in Air India’s recent history. With the carrier still reeling from the Ahmedabad disaster, Bhogle’s praise seemed to signal a turning point—an indication that, perhaps, the airline was beginning to reclaim lost trust.

Public responses reflected this duality. “This is wonderful feedback to read,” one user commented. “It’s great to hear that Air India is delivering such a positive experience on the Mumbai-London-Mumbai route.” Another added, “The system, approach, and culture of an organization need time to flourish—I’m optimistic about the progress ahead!”

Yet not all reactions were celebratory. Several users raised the question of class disparity: was Bhogle flying business class? “How about economy class?” one user asked, while another suggested that the “exceptional” service may not extend to all passengers equally. This division underlined a longstanding issue with the airline—consistency in passenger experience.

Recovery In Motion

Air India’s revival plan, set in motion after the Tata Group acquired it in early 2022, faced its most critical test following the Ahmedabad crash. The June tragedy saw the loss of passengers, crew members, and civilians on the ground, and raised serious concerns about aircraft maintenance, pilot communication, and emergency response readiness.

A full investigation is still ongoing, and Indian authorities are reportedly considering grounding the Boeing 787-8 aircraft model pending further review (IndiaTimes).

In response, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson announced a phased restoration of international operations starting August 1, with full service expected to resume by October 1. Addressing flyers in an open letter, Wilson assured: “Your trust is valued & your journey safeguarded by our entire Air India family.”