Air India Widebody Flight Cuts: 15% International Flights Suspended Until Mid-July After Crash

Air India Widebody Flight Cuts: Air India will reduce 15% of international widebody flights from June 20 to mid-July amid enhanced safety inspections after the Ahmedabad crash. Affected passengers offered rebooking or refunds.

New Delhi – June 18, 2025: In response to recent operational disruptions and sweeping safety directives, Air India announced today a temporary 15% reduction in its international widebody aircraft services, effective from June 20 until mid-July. This decision underscores the airline’s commitment to augmenting passenger safety and ensuring operational stability.

Why the Cuts? A Confluence of Challenges

The reduction arises from multiple factors that have impacted Air India over the past week:

1. Enhanced Safety Inspections:
   Following the tragic crash of flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad on June 12—which claimed 241 lives—the DGCA mandated intensified safety inspections for Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Of the fleet’s 33 aircraft, 26 have already been cleared and returned to service, with the remaining checked in the coming days.
2. Stress Testing Boeing 777s:
   As a precautionary measure, Air India has also initiated additional checks on its Boeing 777 fleet, reinforcing aircraft integrity protocols and restoring traveler confidence.
3. Geopolitical and Airspace Disruptions:
   The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict has led to night curfews in Middle Eastern airspace, while several East Asian countries have implemented temporary restrictions. These geopolitical constraints have directly affected flight paths, crew schedules, and aircraft utilization.
4. Operational Ripples Since the Tragedy:
   The immediate aftermath of the AI-171 crash resulted in 83 widebody flight cancellations in six days, straining scheduling resilience and necessitating fleet redistributions.

What’s Being Affected?

While full details of the revised schedule will be released before June 20, Air India officials confirmed:

• A 15% cut in international flights operated by Boeing 787/777 aircraft.
• No expected impact on domestic or narrowbody international services.
• A short-term period of schedule tightening to stabilize operations and mobilize additional aircraft reserves.

Passenger-Centric Measures

Acknowledging the potential inconvenience, Air India has laid out several support options:

• Advance Notifications: Affected passengers will receive timely communication via email, SMS, and app alerts.
• Rebooking Flexibility: Complimentary flight rescheduling or full refunds will be available.
• Alternative Flight Assurance: The airline will attempt to accommodate affected travelers on other flight routes when possible.

Statements from Air India and Tata Group

In an official communique, Air India expressed deep sorrow for the Ahmedabad crash and reaffirmed its commitment to safety. The airline is working closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, and AAIB to enforce all regulatory requirements.

The Tata Group extended condolences to the families of the crash victims and emphasized comprehensive support from volunteers in Ahmedabad. They stated:

“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our passengers, crew, and the communities we serve. We are enforcing all safety mandates and adjusting our schedule to reinforce system integrity.”

What This Means for the Aviation Industry

Fleet Management & Flexibility

A 15% reduction allows Air India to redeploy aircraft for maintenance and regulatory checks, ensuring crews are rested and aircraft are prepped for safe operations.

Balancing Safety and Service

While some travelers will experience disruptions, the airline views this as essential to restoring trust following the Ahmedabad tragedy.

Anticipated Demand Rebound

As inspections wrap up and geopolitical tensions stabilize, forecasts suggest a reinstatement of full schedules by late July or August, aligning Air India with peak summer travel.

How Passengers Can Prepare

1. Monitor Flight Status: Check emails, SMS, and the Air India app for alerts.
2. Act Quickly: If you receive a cancellation notice, use online tools to rebook or opt for a refund.
3. Plan Alternative Routes: Stay flexible. Flights through gateways like Dubai or Doha may offer options if direct routes are affected.