Air India Cuts 38 Weekly International Flights, Suspends Three Routes
Air India has announced a substantial reduction in its international flight operations following the fatal Boeing 787 crash near Ahmedabad. Effective from June 21 through July 15, the airline will take 38 weekly international flights off its schedule and temporarily halt service on three overseas routes.
Flight Cuts
The airline plans to suspend flights on the Delhi–Nairobi, Amritsar–London Gatwick, and Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick routes. Additionally, there will be frequency reductions on 18 long-haul routes connecting North America, Europe, Far East, and Australia. Affected destinations include major cities such as Toronto, San Francisco, London Heathrow, Paris, Melbourne, and Tokyo. Services will continue at reduced levels until July 15 to ensure smooth resumption once the review period concludes.
Safety Review
This move is part of a post-accident safety overhaul following the June 12 crash of flight AI‑171. Air India has begun an enhanced safety inspection program targeting its Boeing 787 and 777 fleets, with 26 of 33 Dreamliners already cleared. These additional safety protocols are being added voluntarily, alongside compliance with regulatory airline safety procedures.
Operational Impacts
The temporary reductions also serve to bolster aircraft standby capacity, allowing for rapid response to any unexpected disruptions. With the Middle East airspace closures compounding schedule pressures, Air India aims to maintain operational stability and minimize last-minute cancellations. Affected passengers are being contacted with options to rebook, reschedule, or receive full refunds depending on their preference.
Domestic Cancellations
In parallel with international cuts, Air India has grounded seven other flights—four international and three domestic—citing maintenance and operational reasons. These include services between Dubai–Chennai, Delhi–Melbourne, Dubai–Hyderabad, Pune–Delhi, Ahmedabad–Delhi, Chennai–Mumbai, and Hyderabad–Mumbai.
