In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash that claimed the lives of 270 people, a video of a party held at the Gurugram office of Air India SATS (AISATS) has gone viral, sparking widespread public outrage. The incident has prompted the resignation of four senior officials, including Chief Operating Officer Abraham Zakaria, following an internal inquiry.
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed, leaving hundreds of families devastated. Barely eight days later, a video showing a DJ party at the Gurugram office of AISATS surfaced on social media. In the footage, several senior officials, including COO Abraham Zakaria, can be seen dancing and celebrating, which drew severe backlash for being "insensitive" and "disrespectful" in light of the recent tragedy.
The viral video triggered a storm of criticism online, with many expressing disbelief that such a celebratory event could take place within a company associated with the grieving airline.
AISATS, a 50:50 joint venture between Air India Limited and SATS Limited, both part of the Tata Group, immediately initiated an internal investigation. Following the probe, the company requested the resignation of the four senior officials seen in the video. The officials complied, and the company has since moved to implement stricter oversight on internal conduct.
In response to the controversy, an AISATS spokesperson issued a public statement expressing deep regret and assuring action:
"All of us at AISATS share the grief of the families of those who lost their lives in the AI 171 crash. We deeply regret the incident shown in the viral video. This behavior does not reflect our values. We are committed to compassion, professionalism, and accountability. Strict disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible."
The incident has raised serious questions about corporate sensitivity and empathy in crisis management, especially from organizations involved in aviation — an industry where trust and public image are critical. Aviation experts have also called for more robust internal policies to prevent such incidents in the future.
As families continue to grieve their loss, the video and the ensuing backlash serve as a reminder that organizational behavior in the wake of a tragedy can significantly affect public perception and trust.