A tragic accident occurred on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad on its way to London Gatwick. Out of the 242 people on board, only one survived and was later rescued. As the country mourns this heartbreaking loss, an unusual detail has caught public attention — the front page of Gujarat’s popular newspaper ‘Mid-Day’, which was printed just a few hours before the crash.
The centerpiece of the page is a vibrant advertisement for KidZania, a well-known family entertainment and learning centre. What stands out most on this page and what has caught the public’s attention in the aftermath of the Air India tragedy – is the prominent image of an Air India aircraft. The plane is depicted as part of the KidZania theme, flying out from the right side of the page, seemingly emerging from a building facade that mimics the playful, miniature cityscape of KidZania.
The Air India branding is clear and unmistakable. In the context of the ad, it’s meant to represent the aviation activity children can experience at KidZania, where they can role-play as pilots and cabin crew. The plane is shown at a low altitude, as if it’s just above the buildings, adding a sense of excitement and adventure to the ad’s message.
The coincidence
Just hours after this newspaper was distributed, the real-life Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad, making the imagery on the front page seem eerily prescient. The juxtaposition of the Air India plane in a cityscape, intended as a fun, imaginative scene became a point of somber reflection for readers who saw it after the news broke.
No outrage, just reflection
It’s important to emphasise that this was purely a coincidence. The ad was part of a pre-planned campaign for KidZania’s Father’s Day event, scheduled for June 13-15. The creative team behind the ad had no way of knowing what would unfold later that day. There has been no public outrage or conspiracy; rather, people have noted the strange timing with a sense of disbelief and sadness.
Authorities are focused on uncovering the technical and human factors behind the crash, ensuring aviation safety improvements to prevent future tragedies. Families and communities affected are receiving support, and the nation is united in grief.