The aviation world woke up Thursday to a sharp sell-off after an Air India 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The flight bound for London Gatwick went down in a civilian area near Ahmedabad airport, reigniting safety concerns around Boeing's flagship long-haul jet.
In U.S. premarket trading, Boeing shares tumbled 8% to $196.75, marking one of the largest single-day drops in recent months. Key suppliers Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aerospace also saw their stocks dip about 4% as investors braced for potential knock-on effects.
While the 787 Dreamliner has dealt with battery-related groundings in the past, this marks its first fatal crash since entering service. Boeing said it was aware of initial reports and working to gather more information, but investigators have yet to pinpoint the cause of the accident.
Boeing is under new leadership as CEO Kelly Orthberg pushes to rebuild trust and ramp up production. Yet the memory of the 737 MAX grounding still looms large, and analysts warn that each incident adds pressure on the jetmaker's safety narrative.
Chris Beauchamp, an analyst at IG Group, described the stock drop as a knee-jerk response driven by renewed fears about Boeing's safety record. As the investigation unfolds, market watchers will scrutinize how swiftly Boeing can restore confidence among airlines, regulators, and travelers alike.
The crash is a stark reminder of how single events can ripple through global markets and affect traveler sentiment. For globetrotters and digital nomads planning long-haul adventures, airline safety updates are now as critical as visa rules and climate considerations.
With an investigation underway, all eyes are on flight data recorders and engineering teams racing to deliver answers. Until then, Boeing's road to recovery may have more turbulence ahead.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
