Air India Cuts Back on International Flights Amid Boeing Safety Checks Post-Ahmedabad Crash

Air India temporarily suspends operations to three cities and reduces frequency on key international routes till July 15, following the AI-171 Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad.

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad, the airline has announced a significant reduction in international flight operations and a temporary suspension of services to three cities until July 15, 2025. The move comes as the airline undertakes enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 787 and 777 fleet and adjusts for longer flight times caused by airspace closures in the Middle East.

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Safety Measures Prompt Flight Reductions

Air India stated in a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter) that the reductions are part of a voluntary decision to conduct rigorous pre-flight safety inspections and maintain schedule stability while minimizing last-minute inconvenience to passengers.

The airline said, “The reductions arise from the decision to voluntarily 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 minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers.”

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Routes Temporarily Suspended (Till July 15, 2025)

1. Delhi–Nairobi (AI961/962) – 4x weekly
2. Amritsar–London Gatwick (AI169/170) – 3x weekly
3. Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick (AI145/146) – 3x weekly
   (*Delhi–Nairobi suspended until June 30)

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International Routes with Reduced Frequency

North America

• Delhi–Toronto: 13x to 7x weekly
• Delhi–Vancouver: 7x to 5x weekly
• Delhi–San Francisco: 10x to 7x weekly
• Delhi–Chicago: 7x to 3x weekly
• Delhi–Washington (Dulles): 5x to 3x weekly

Europe

• Delhi–London Heathrow: 24x to 22x weekly
• Bengaluru–London Heathrow: 7x to 6x weekly
• Amritsar/Delhi–Birmingham: 3x to 2x weekly
• Delhi–Paris: 14x to 12x weekly
• Delhi–Milan: 7x to 4x weekly
• Delhi–Copenhagen: 5x to 3x weekly
• Delhi–Vienna: 4x to 3x weekly
• Delhi–Amsterdam: 7x to 5x weekly

Australia

• Delhi–Melbourne/Sydney: 7x to 5x weekly

Far East

• Delhi–Tokyo (Haneda): 7x to 6x weekly
• Delhi–Seoul (Incheon): 5x to 4x weekly
  (*Seoul route to operate 3x weekly from June 21 to July 5, and 4x weekly thereafter.)

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Passenger Support and Apology

Air India has assured impacted travelers of full support:

“Air India apologises to the passengers affected by these curtailments and is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-accommodation on alternative flights, complimentary rescheduling or full refunds as per their preference.”

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Tragic Backdrop: Ahmedabad Crash

The decision follows the June 12 crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner AI-171, which was en route to London and crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff. The crash claimed 241 of 242 lives onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The incident has triggered nationwide mourning and raised critical questions around aircraft safety and maintenance.