Air India operations disrupted amid post-crash checks, flight cancellations
Several Air India international flights were cancelled on Tuesday, days after a deadly crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad raised serious safety and operational concerns.
Among the affected services were Delhi-Dubai (AI 915), Delhi-Vienna (AI 153), Delhi-Paris (AI 143), Ahmedabad-London (AI 159), Bengaluru-London (AI 133), and London-Amritsar (AI 170). Most of these routes are operated using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the same aircraft type involved in the June 12 tragedy that killed 241 people shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Air India cited operational constraints and additional safety checks for the disruptions. A spokesperson said, 'We regret the inconvenience and are making alternate travel arrangements, including hotel accommodations, full refunds, or complimentary rescheduling where required.'
Dreamliner diversions and mid-air turnbacks
Amid the cancellations, flight AI 315 from Hong Kong to Delhi was forced to turn back after a technical glitch was detected mid-flight. In another incident, a San Francisco-Mumbai flight (AI 180), which was rerouted through Kolkata due to Pakistani airspace restrictions, was grounded during a scheduled halt at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport after a technical snag was suspected. All 228 people on board, including 211 passengers, were safely deboarded. Some passengers were accommodated in local hotels, though scenes of confusion were reported at the airport.
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Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
'We deserve better': Passengers of delayed Delhi-Pune Air India flight fume after 3-hour wait inside aircraft with "no AC, no food, no update"
Around 150 passengers on Air India 's Delhi-Pune flight ( AI-2973 ) faced a night of discomfort and chaos on Monday, with the flight taking off nearly 9 hours late. Flyers were kept inside the aircraft for over three hours without proper air-conditioning, refreshments or updates. As quoted by TOI, Shivane resident Amol Rokade said he had spent almost Rs 1 lakh on tickets for his family. 'My parents were in business class, while my sister and I had premium economy seats,' he said. Flight delays and frustration The flight was supposed to leave Delhi at 8:50 pm and land in Pune at 11:05 pm. Instead, it departed at 5:40 am the next day and reached Pune at 7:45 am. Rokade described a series of confusing announcements and repeated delays. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chuck Norris Begs Seniors: Avoid These 3 Foods Like The Plague Roundhouse Provisions Learn More Undo 'We were told the incoming flight from Mumbai was delayed, but boarding was completed by 9:30 pm. After some taxiing, the aircraft stopped. The crew said checks were on,' he said. An hour later, the pilot mentioned engine trouble, and engineers arrived about 45 minutes later. 'They said the aircraft was ready to fly, but it didn't move for another half an hour. By 12:30 am, a ladder was attached to the door again, and further checks began,' Rokade added. Live Events No food, AC or clarity Passengers grew restless as there was no food or proper air-conditioning. 'People started demanding to be deboarded. After arguments, a few were allowed to exit from the rear door, and the rest followed soon after,' he said. Air India staff told them that another aircraft would be ready by 2 am. 'We waited for coaches to take us back to the terminal, they came after half an hour. We completed check-in and security again. The display showed 2 am as the flight time, but no aircraft had arrived till 4 am,' said Rokade. Later, refreshments were finally offered, and boarding began again at 4 am. But some flyers refused to travel on the new plane, citing safety fears. Staff had to allow them to leave with their luggage, which took another hour. Finally airborne, but exhausted The plane took off from Delhi at 5:40 am. Rokade said, 'We lost almost 12 hours due to poor planning and communication.' Supriya Sule tweets about flight chaos Baramati MP Supriya Sule, also on the flight, posted on X about the ordeal: 'Travelling from Delhi to Pune on Air India flight AI2971. The flight is delayed by over 3 hours, no clear communication, no update, no assistance and very bad service. Passengers are left stranded and helpless. This apathy is unacceptable. Travellers deserve better.' Replying to her post, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said he had spoken to airline and airport authorities and asked them to urgently address the concerns of all affected passengers. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Passengers of AI's 8-hour delayed Delhi-Pune flight sit 3 hours in stationary aircraft
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Rise in helicopter crashes may spur 15-30% hike in insurance premiums
Helicopter insurance premiums in India are likely to rise by 15–30 per cent owing to a recent spate of domestic accidents and mounting aviation losses faced by global reinsurers, industry insiders said. Aviation insurance is largely a reinsurance-driven area, with the general aviation market comprising corporate jets, helicopters and others accounting for 15 per cent of the segment in India. The remaining is commercial aviation. In FY25, the premium accumulated from the aviation segment in India was nearly ₹1,010 crore, up 4 per cent from the previous year. In general aviation, the premium rates are calculated based on the age and seating capacity of the hull combined with liability. The hull value of helicopters ranges from ₹25 crore to ₹30 crore going all the way up to ₹100 crore. The average premium in the helicopter segment is also around ₹75 lakh, according to industry experts. This is likely to increase by 25-30 per cent in line with the overall hardening in the aviation insurance market. 'There have been 5-6 helicopter crashes in the last few months. Overall, Indian insurers are under pressure in terms of premium versus claims. We have seen rates rising steeply for smaller rotor wing operators, like those who fly to Kedarnath, Chardham, or maybe small general aviation helicopter operators. In some cases, the premium has also doubled. Also, amid the Air India crash, there will be a hardening in the insurance market in the coming months,' an insurance broker said. On June 15, a helicopter crashed in Kedarnath, making it the fifth such incident in the Char Dham route, since the pilgrimage started on April 30. This comes days after the crash of Air India AI-171 in Ahmedabad. Previously, six people died when a helicopter crashed in Uttarkashi on May 8. Similarly, a crash was averted in Badrinath on May 12. On May 17, an air ambulance crashed in Kedarnath but no casualty was reported. On June 7, a helicopter on its way to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on the highway due to technical snag, developed during take-off. Additionally, rates in the aviation sector are also expected to increase due to huge claim outgo in the Air India crash combined with the ruling by the London High Court regarding jets stranded in Russia, among others. 'Helicopter insurance rates are expected to increase due to a combination of domestic accidents and significant global aviation losses. A series of high-profile claims, including a UK court ruling of $4.5 billion and other aviation incidents like the Air India and Boeing 737 MAX losses, are straining global reinsurers. Also, the overall aviation insurance premium rates are likely to harden due to limited capacity, heightened geopolitical risks and currency fluctuations. Premiums for helicopters may also rise 15–25 per cent, in-line with the overall aviation insurance segment,' an insurance executive said.
