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A video message by Campbell Wilson, Air India’s chief executive, closely resembled what the head of American Airlines said after a deadly crash months earlier.
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Air India C.E.O.’s Comments on Crash Get Backlash Online
A video statement by Campbell Wilson, the chief executive of Air India, after the July 12 plane crash was nearly identical to one given five months earlier by the head American Airlines, after a crash in Washington, D.C.
“First, and most importantly, I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events.” “But first and most importantly, I would like to express our deep sorrow about this event.” “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines.” “For all of us at India.” “And our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.” “And our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.” “I know that there are many questions.” “And at this early stage.” “And at this stage.” “I will not be able to answer all of them.” “I will not be able to answer all of them.” ”But I do want to share the information I have at this time.” “But I do want to share the information we have at this time.”
June 21, 2025, 3:16 a.m. ET
Campbell Wilson stood in a gray suit before a camera last week to read a carefully worded statement about the plane operated by Air India, the company he leads, that had crashed hours earlier in Ahmedabad, India, with 242 people aboard.
His remarks immediately drew criticism. Social media users said he appeared cold and lacking in empathy.
Soon after that, another critique emerged: Much of Mr. Wilson’s speech was identical to one given five months earlier by Robert Isom, the chief executive of American Airlines, after a deadly crash in Washington.
The similarities in the two statements are striking. Karthik Srinivasan, a communications consultant in Bengaluru, India, posted transcripts on social media showing that many of Mr. Campbell’s words had exact parallels in Mr. Isom’s.
“First and most importantly, I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events,” Mr. Isom said in the video published Jan. 29. On June 12, Mr. Wilson began: “First and most importantly, I would like to express our deep sorrow about this event.”
“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,” Mr. Isom continued. Mr. Wilson said: “This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India.”
