Sagar Patel recalled his final call with his mother before she boarded Air India flight AI171 on 12 June last year. The plane was scheduled to depart from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, bound for Gatwick. Patel, a London-based business manager, said they followed a familiar routine where she would phone after settling in her seat. He asked what she wanted for dinner and promised to collect her upon arrival. That proved to be their last exchange. One year later, relatives continue to face difficulties obtaining details about the incident. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner hit a medical college soon after departure, killing 241 passengers, among them 169 Indian citizens and 52 Britons, plus 19 people on the ground. Another 67 individuals suffered serious injuries. Patel’s mother, Hasumatiben Patel, had been returning to Britain after visiting relatives. He described her as the family’s central figure following his father’s death. Patel traveled to India seeking information but has received none after twelve months. The absence has deeply affected his household, including his young daughter who searched for her grandmother upon his return. Official findings on the crash remain unpublished, though updates are anticipated shortly. Aviation lawyer Mike Andrews, acting for roughly 135 families, noted obstacles from Air India in accessing records. Shweta Parihar, whose husband Abhinav died on the flight while returning to Britain, described shielding the news from their son during initial identification efforts. The boy later became deeply distressed. She reported ongoing emotional difficulties for the eleven-year-old and limited financial support for activities or stable work. Mohammed Shoeb Iproliya also reflected on plans disrupted by the loss of his wife. Relatives expressed frustration over absent investigation updates and called for practical assistance from authorities and the airline’s owners.
