Most news one reads pass by, while some tragedies impact one enough to trickle down into vigil. This often alters actions, perception and choices.
The tragic Ahmedabad crash has undeniably been one such event, that has shifted the priorities of Indian air travelers.
Local Circles report that in their survey back in 2022, only a mere 10% of air travelers considered the aircraft type before booking. This number has seen a notable uptick, now surging to 41% in 2025. This significant jump displays a heightened consciousness among passengers, who are now more vigilant about the aircraft they fly in.
The survey, which received 40,000 responses from across 294 districts of India, reveals that while traditional factors like airfare remain the first priority for the majority of travellers — about 73%.
Aspects like flight timings and airline still dominate decision-making for 64% and 59% respectively, while aircraft type now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with flight connections and duration at 41%, according to the report that was released on Wednesday.
More than half of the airline travellers surveyed in India or 56% are in favour of the government grounding the Boeing 787-8 until all issues are investigated and resolved.
This sentiment is further fuelled by recent operational disruptions. Since the Ahmedabad crash, Air India alone has cancelled 66 flights intended to be operated by Boeing 787s between June 12 and June 17, with numerous other flights experiencing cancellations or delays due to reported technical issues. Air India Flight AI 315 on June 16 from Hong Kong to New Delhi diverted back to Hong Kong due to a technical issue.
These incidents, coupled with the tragic crash, have created an understandable ripple of fears among flyers, backed by the trends seen in this survey. The demand for transparency is clear, as Indian travelers call to be better informed and reassured about their safety.
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