Air India plane crash: Jet that crashed in Ahmedabad was in Melbourne just days earlier

The Air India jet that tragically crashed and caused such a large loss of life was in Australia just days earlier.

The aircraft, VT-ANB — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — flew from Delhi to Melbourne on Sunday.

It left Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5.03am local time and in a flight taking 11 hours and 35 minutes, arrived at Tullamarine Airport as flight AI308 at 9.08pm.

In a quick turnaround, the jet then flew out of Melbourne at 11.45pm, arriving in Delhi at 7.06am local time on Monday, a flight of 11 hours and 51 minutes.

It does not appear that the aircraft had any incidents on either flight.

The aircraft then flew on to Tokyo in Japan return, before making a trip to Paris in France and back.

It then left Delhi for Ahmedabad, where it was en route to Gatwick in England when the crash happened just after take off, killing 241 aboard — with one survivor — and numerous people on the ground.

The plane was more than 11 years old, being delivered to Air India in 2013.

Being of average age, it was due for a mid-life refurbishment.

The 787 is one of Air India’s flagship aircraft and regularly flies from its hub airport of Delhi to destinations across the world.

It can carry 256 passengers — 238 in economy and 18 in business.

Almost 450,000 people travelled from India to Australia in 2024, making it the nation’s fifth biggest travel market behind New Zealand, China, the UK and US.

The 787 Dreamliner came into service in 2011, with almost 1200 aircraft now flying around the world.

The India tragedy is the Dreamliner’s first fatal accident but it has a shaky safety record.

In 2024, a 787 flying from Sydney to Auckland fell 300 feet in just a few seconds, injuring 50 passengers.

It was found that the captain’s seat moved forward, hitting a switch that resulted in the plane’s rapid descent.

In 2013, there were several fires aboard Dreamliners caused by lithium-ion batteries used on the jet.