Air India to cut 15% of widebody operated international flights
Air India will be cutting down international flights on widebody aircraft that mostly connect long haul and ultra long haul destinations by 15%, the airline said late on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) evening.
The decision was taken to mitigate the impact of the compounding circumstances resulting from DGCA-ordered enhanced surveillance for Boeing 787 aircraft, geopolitical tensions in West Asua, night curfew in the airspaces of many countries in Europe and East Asia, and 'the necessary cautious approach being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots'.
'The move will ensure stability of our operations, better efficiency and minimise inconvenience to passengers,' Air India said in a statement. A large chunk of widebody aircraft are utilised for flights to the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, and in some cases shorter international routes as well.
The cuts will be implemented between now and June 20 and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July. The move will also help the airline to have reserve aircraft availability to take care of any unplanned disruptions.
The airline has seen 83 flight cancellations on its Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft since the crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which was the first time that a Boeing 787 Dreamliner was involved in an accident any where in the world.
The airline offered its apology to passengers for the inconvenience. Passengers will be able to reschedule at no extra cost, or seek full refund.
On top of the surveillance order by the DGCA for Boeing 787s, where 26 of the 33 aircraft so far have been inspected, the airline has also decided to undertake enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 777 fleet.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Air India cuts 15% international wide-body flights after Ahmedabad crash
Air India on Tuesday said it will reduce its international services operated by wide-body aircraft by 15 per cent until at least mid-July, as the airline grapples with a combination of enhanced safety inspections and operational disruptions following last week's fatal crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft. The move is aimed at stabilising operations and improving efficiency, Air India said in a late-night statement. 'Given the compounding circumstances that Air India is facing… the cuts will be implemented between now and 20 June and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July,' the airline said. 'This effectively adds to our reserve aircraft availability to take care of any unplanned disruptions,' it noted. A revised international flight schedule will take effect from 20 June. Of the 33 Boeing 787 aircraft in Air India's fleet, 26 have completed DGCA-mandated inspections and been cleared to return to service. The remaining aircraft are expected to be cleared in the coming days. As an added precaution, the airline said it will also begin enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 777 fleet. Over the past six days, Air India has cancelled a total of 83 international flights. In addition to the safety inspections, the airline cited night curfews over parts of Europe and East Asia, as well as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as contributing to the disruptions. Describing the flight cuts as 'a painful measure', the airline said the decision was necessary in the wake of a 'devastating event' and to avoid last-minute inconvenience to passengers. Affected travellers will be offered free rescheduling or full refunds. 'With the continued support of our passengers, the regulatory authorities, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and India at large, we will come out stronger through this tragic incident,' Air India said. 'Air India remains in mourning on the tragic loss… our hearts are with the families, loved ones, and communities affected,' the airline added, noting that it is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Gujarat government to assist the victims' families, including arrangements for travel and repatriation of mortal remains.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Air India Slashes Flights As Grief, Safety Demands Collide After Ahmedabad Crash
New Delhi: Air India has begun trimming its international flight operations in the wake of the recent tragedy that still grips the country. Reeling from the devastating crash of Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, the airline is making sweeping operational adjustments while mourning those lost. In a statement, the airliner said, 'Our hearts are with the families, loved ones and communities affected by the accident.' As families continue to grieve and identify their loved ones, the airline described the victims and their kin as members of its extended family. Support teams, including Tata Group volunteers, remain stationed in Ahmedabad to assist relatives at hospitals and help with transport arrangements for the deceased. 'We pray for the departed souls and convey our deepest condolences to the families,' the company said. While the nation mourns, the airline is simultaneously navigating a safety overhaul. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a full 'Enhanced Safety Inspection' of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet. Of the 33 widebody aircraft in this category, 26 have cleared inspection, with the rest undergoing checks. Air India also confirmed that its Boeing 777 aircraft will now face similar scrutiny as part of a wider risk-control push. 'The remaining inspections are expected to be finalised in the coming days, providing reassurance about the safety measures and procedures followed by the airline,' the statement added. Operational Cutbacks Begin With engineering teams focused on safety inspections and flight crews operating under strict guidelines, the strain on the airline's resources has grown acute. Add to that night-time airspace restrictions over several countries due to Middle East tensions and the domino effect becomes clearer. Over the past six days, these combined pressures have led to 83 flight cancellations. Now, Air India has taken the decision to proactively reduce international operations on widebody aircraft by 15%. This step, in place from now until at least mid-July, is being positioned as a stabilising measure – one that will allow the airline to build in more reserve capacity and protect the rest of its operations from last-minute disruptions. Refunds Offered Affected passengers will be contacted in advance and given options to rebook at no additional charge or to receive a full refund. The revised schedule, starting June 20, will be announced soon. Air India issued an apology, saying it regrets the inconvenience but is acting in the interest of operational reliability and safety.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Air India To Cut International Services Amid Ongoing Safety Checks On Boeing 787 Fleet
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