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Air India cancels eight flights as post-crash safety checks hit operations across major domestic and international routes
Air India cancelled at least eight more flights on Friday, citing ongoing maintenance and operational checks. These continued disruptions come after the June 12 Ahmedabad–London Gatwick Dreamliner crash that left 271 dead, including more than 30 people on the ground. The airline remains under increased scrutiny, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) intensifies safety checks across the Boeing 787 fleet.
Affected routes on June 20
Friday's cancellations included both international and domestic routes. Among the international flights called off were AI906 (Dubai–Chennai), AI308 (Delhi–Melbourne), AI309 (Melbourne–Delhi), and AI2204 (Dubai–Hyderabad). On the domestic side, the affected flights included AI874 (Pune–Delhi), AI456 (Ahmedabad–Delhi), and AI2872 (Hyderabad–Mumbai).
These cancellations follow a week of similar disruptions, most notably on Tuesday, when 13 Dreamliner-operated flights were grounded. This included AI-159, the revised flight number for the Ahmedabad–London route previously listed as AI-171. That aircraft was expected to resume services but remained grounded due to aircraft unavailability.
DGCA oversight and safety status
The DGCA has ordered detailed safety reviews of Air India's Dreamliner aircraft. As per updates shared on June 18, 24 of the 33 Boeing 787s in Air India's fleet had undergone safety inspections. Two aircraft are currently listed as AOG (Aircraft on Ground) at Delhi Airport due to maintenance requirements.
Since the crash, a total of 66 Dreamliner flights have been cancelled. On the day of the incident alone, six Dreamliner-operated services were halted. The regulatory body continues to schedule more aircraft for inspection in the coming days as the situation evolves.
Operational challenges continue
Air India's flight cancellations reflect a broader challenge in managing safety demands and maintaining operational continuity. As maintenance and checks proceed, the airline is working to stabilise its schedules and address logistical pressures across its domestic and international safety checks still ongoing, Air India faces growing disruptions as it balances regulatory demands with maintaining essential flight services.
