Air India Begins Returning Belongings of Ahmedabad Crash Victims

Air India has initiated the formal process of returning personal belongings to the next of kin of passengers and crew killed in the December 2025 Ahmedabad plane crash, marking a critical phase in post-accident family support and operational response.

The move follows an accident involving an Air India Airbus A320neo that overran the runway on landing at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, leading to multiple fatalities and widespread aircraft damage. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and accident investigation teams have been examining flight data, crew actions and environmental factors as part of a comprehensive probe, while the airline and authorities have engaged in victim assistance and documentation processes.

Air India’s operations teams confirmed that collected items — ranging from personal effects removed from the aircraft and safety equipment retrievals — are being catalogued, verified and prepared for handover. Families of the deceased have been contacted and briefed on the procedures to receive belongings, which in some cases include mobile devices, travel documents and other items recovered under controlled conditions.

Returning personal effects is a sensitive step that follows established civil aviation protocols designed to respect privacy and ensure accuracy. Airlines work with investigative bodies to segregate items relevant to the investigation from irreplaceable personal possessions. The process typically involves inventory creation, photographic documentation, and secure packaging before transfer to designated authorities for delivery to families.

In statements to media, Air India emphasised support services extended to victims’ families, including counselling, travel facilitation for meetings with airline representatives, and coordination with local airport and law enforcement agencies. The airline also reiterated its commitment to implementing any safety recommendations emanating from the ongoing investigation.

The Gujarat state government and local authorities have maintained liaison with bereaved families since the accident, providing logistical support and keeping stakeholders apprised of investigative progress. Handling of personal property and official correspondence requires careful procedural compliance, with civil aviation regulators overseeing aspects tied to evidence preservation and data integrity.

Investigation reports into the incident are expected to cover aircraft performance, meteorological influences at the time of landing, runway conditions and any potential procedural deviations. Multi-disciplinary panels – including engineers, pilots and safety experts – are analysing flight recorder data and air traffic control communications, as standard practice in major accident inquiries.

Air India’s response phase aligns with international aviation norms administered by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and embodied in domestic aviation safety legislation. Emotional and operational support measures for victims’ families are central to the airline’s crisis management framework, even as regulatory and technical reviews continue.

For the aviation sector, how airlines manage the aftermath of major accidents — including the return of belongings — is closely watched by peers, regulators and the flying public. Transparency, timeliness and respect for affected families are core expectations that carriers incorporate into their emergency response and passenger care protocols.

Beyond the immediate family support, broader safety lessons drawn from the Ahmedabad crash investigation will likely feed into airline training, operations planning and flight standards revision. Air India has assured stakeholders that it will fully cooperate with the DGCA and investigative bodies to enhance operational safety and reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

The focus now rests on the dual tracks of completing sensitive victim assistance processes and advancing the technical investigation, as airlines, regulators and families alike seek closure and improved safety outcomes from the tragic event.