Mangalore tragedy an eye-opener: Air India

NEW DELHI - The Mangalore air crash that killed 158 people Saturday “points finger towards the faults in our infrastructure facilities in airports”, an Air India board member said.

“It is a big tragedy, particularly for Indians in the Gulf. It is an eye-opener… it points finger towards the faults in our infrastructure facilities in airports and international services,” said NRI businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali, who recently became a board member of Air India.

Air India Express Flight IX812 from Dubai crashed at the Mangalore airport killing 158 passengers and crew Saturday morning. The plane overshot the runway and crashed into a forested ravine.

Ali, managing director of the Emke Group that employs thousands of Indians in the Gulf, was appointed to the board this month.

“At our board meeting (Wednesday), we thoroughly discussed ways to improve our international services, particularly to the Gulf countries,” Ali told IANS on telephone while travelling from Kozhikode to Mangalore by road.

“It is the saddest day for Indians in the Gulf countries. Most of the victims were travelling with their family members, including children, to meet their relatives after a long break,” Ali said.