KidZania ad mimicking flight scene stirs shock after Air India crash mirrors imagery hours later.
On June 12, Mid-Day, a widely circulated Gujarati-language newspaper, carried a front-page advertisement promoting KidZania, a family-focused entertainment and learning centre. The ad was timed to promote a special Father’s Day celebration running from June 13 to 15.
Designed to spark excitement, the colourful artwork depicted an Air India aircraft flying at a low altitude over a stylised miniature city. The aircraft appeared to be emerging from a building — a visual device meant to highlight KidZania’s aviation-themed experiences, where children can role-play as pilots and cabin crew.
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Real-life tragedy just hours later
Mere hours after the advertisement reached readers, a real-world tragedy unfolded. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived. The disaster claimed 241 lives and left the country in mourning.
Among the first images to emerge from the crash site was a haunting visual: the aircraft’s tail was wedged into a building, uncannily similar to the ad’s depiction of a plane emerging from one.
Chilling parallel goes viral online
The disturbing coincidence has since sparked widespread reaction on social media platforms. Users quickly drew attention to the resemblance between the ad’s aircraft-in-the-building motif and the actual crash scene. The contrast between creativity of the ad campaign and the grim reality of the crash has unsettled many, with the image becoming a focal point of public conversation.
Published: 13 Jun 2025, 10:21 am IST
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