3 routes suspended, reduced frequency on 18: Details of Air India's international flight curtailment plan
Air India on Thursday detailed the temporary curtailment plan for it wide-body international flights. A day earlier, the Tata group carrier had said that it would reduce international flights operated by long-range aircraft like Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 by 15 per cent till at least mid-July due to a combination of factors–enhanced safety inspections following last Thursday's deadly crash of one of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, and airspace restrictions in West Asia and night curfew at various European and East Asian airports.
A number of Air India's wide-body international flights were hit by delays and cancellations over the past few days due to the combination of these factors.
The Tata group airline announced the details of the curtailment plan, which include suspension of flights on three routes and reduction in flight frequency on 18 routes–five to North America, nine to Europe, and two each to Australia and East Asia. The schedule cuts will be implemented from June 21 and will continue at least till July 15 in most cases.
'The reductions arise from the decision to voluntary undertake enhanced pre-flight safety checks, as well as accommodate additional flight durations arising from airspace closures in the Middle East. The objective is to restore schedule stability and minimizing last-minute inconvenience to passengers,' Air India said.
The airline apologised to the passengers affected by these curtailments, adding that it is proactively contacting them to offer re-accommodation on alternative flights, complimentary rescheduling or full refunds as per their preference.
Details of Air India's wide-body flights' curtailment
Suspended routes till July 15
Routes with reduced frequency till July 15
North America
Europe
Australia
East Asia
Following last Thursday's tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had directed the airline to carry out additional maintenance inspections on all 33 of its 787s. The ill-fated aircraft was operating a flight between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick and had 242 people on board. All but one of those on board perished in the crash. There were several casualties on the ground as well.
Air India said Wednesday that inspections had been completed on 26 of its Boeing 787 planes and they were cleared for service. On Tuesday, the DGCA had announced that no major safety concerns were found in the recent surveillance conducted on Air India's Boeing 787 aircraft, and the planes and associated maintenance systems were found to be compliant with existing safety standards.
As a 'confidence-building measure' Air India has decided to continue enhanced pre-flight safety checks on its Boeing 787 fleet and even its Boeing 777 aircraft, for the time being, which is one of the reasons why the airline is curtailing its wide-body flight schedule.
Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
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