A front-page advertisement that ran in Mid-Day newspaper on June 12 has drawn attention for its eerie timing, just hours before an Air India Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew.

The ad, placed by KidZania to promote its Father’s Day weekend campaign, showcased a playful cityscape with a cartoon-style Air India aircraft emerging from a building a visual symbolising the indoor theme park’s Aviation Academy. But what was intended as a light-hearted promotion has taken on a chilling resonance in the aftermath of the real-life tragedy involving Flight AI171.

That afternoon, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as AI171 took off from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick. Moments after takeoff, it tragically crashed into the Ahmedabad Medical College hostel, killing five people on the ground and leaving only one survivor among the 242 onboard.

The ad, printed in the Gujarat edition of Mid-Day, mirrored a real-life image associated with the KidZania-Air India collaboration, launched in 2023. As part of its educational initiative, Air India partnered with KidZania to give children hands-on exposure to aviation careers through life-size simulators and interactive exhibits. The signature aircraft model “emerging from a building” is a central architectural element across all KidZania centres globally.

Following the crash, social media was abuzz with speculation, with some comparing the ad's timing to the "Simpsons prediction" phenomenon known for satirical forecasts that later resemble real-life events. However, KidZania India has firmly dismissed the notion of eerie foresight.

In a statement to NDTV, the company clarified:

“The aircraft image is a globally recognised element of our Aviation Academy. This advertisement was submitted well in advance as part of a pre-planned summer campaign. We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident and have paused any further promotion of the visual out of respect for those affected.”

Air India’s collaboration with KidZania, introduced via social media in mid-2024, aimed to inspire children to explore aviation through immersive experiences at its centres in Noida and Mumbai. A now widely-circulated tweet from Air India read:

“Dreams take off here! A new chapter in aviation excellence begins with the grand launch of the Air India Aviation Academy at KidZania.”

What was meant to spark curiosity and aspiration has now become a sombre footnote in the wake of a national tragedy. As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, the timing of the ad stands as an unfortunate coincidence, one that highlights how quickly visuals of joy can turn symbolic in the face of real-life heartbreak.


Source / Image Credit : X , Gulte