Air India's Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on Monday told staff that last week's plane crash that killed at least 271 people should be a catalyst to build a safer airline, urging employees to stay resolute amid any criticism.

An Air India plane with more than 200 people on board crashed near the airport in India's city of Ahmedabad, the airline and police officials said.

All but one of the 242 people on board the London-bound flight died when it crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off.