Air India to reduce international widebody aircraft operations by 15%; Dreamliner safety checks under way
NEW DELHI: Air India on Tuesday announced that it will reduce international operations on its widebody aircraft fleet by 15% for the next few weeks, following a spate of disruptions and the recent tragic crash of flight A1171 in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground.In an official statement, the airline said the temporary cut in services will be implemented starting now until at least mid-July, aimed at ensuring operational stability, improving efficiency, and minimising inconvenience to passengers. The revised international flight schedule will be released by June 20, 2025.
Air India mourns victims of AI1171 Crash“We remain in mourning,” Air India said in a solemn message referring to the devastating crash of flight A1171. “Our hearts are with the families, loved ones, and communities affected by the accident.”The airline, in coordination with the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) and the Government of Gujarat, has deployed teams and Tata Group volunteers in Ahmedabad to help family members of the deceased and injured. Assistance is being provided at hospitals and for the safe transportation of mortal remains back to their hometowns.“We consider the family members of the deceased as part of our larger family,” the airline said, offering prayers and condolences.Safety checks intensifiedIn the wake of the tragedy, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated enhanced safety inspections of Air India’s widebody aircraft. These include:
- Boeing 787-8/9 fleet: Out of 33 aircraft, 26 have been inspected and cleared for service. The remaining inspections will be completed in the coming days.
- Boeing 777 fleet: Additional safety checks have also been initiated as a precautionary measure.
Air India confirmed it is fully cooperating with investigating authorities including AAIB, DGCA, and MoCA, and reiterated that passenger safety is the highest priority.Causes behind disruptionsAmid public concern over widespread cancellations, Air India clarified that not all delays are technical in nature. The disruptions are caused by a mix of operational, regulatory, and environmental challenges, including:
- Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affecting airspace.
- Night curfews in airspaces of Europe and East Asia.
- Crew limitations under FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations).
- Weather-related diversions and volcanic activity in flight paths.
A total of 83 international flights have been cancelled over the past six days, the airline confirmed.Network disruptions continueRecent disruptions across Air India’s global network were attributed to multiple causes, not just technical glitches. These include:
- AI2491 (Mumbai–Lucknow, June 17): Cancelled due to cascading delays from heavy rains in Delhi, which pushed crew duty beyond FDTL limits.
- AI160 (London–Ahmedabad, June 17): Rescheduled due to a combination of crew limits and night landing restrictions at Ahmedabad.
- AI188 (Toronto–Delhi, June 18): Cancelled after passengers boarded, as extended maintenance caused duty hours violation.
- AI996 (Dubai–Delhi, June 18): Cancelled due to a technical snag; passengers deboarded safely.
- AI2145 (Delhi–Bali): Returned mid-air due to reports of volcanic activity near Bali. All passengers were deboarded safely in Delhi.
Passenger advisoryPassengers affected by curtailments will be informed in advance and offered a choice between free rescheduling or full refunds. The revised international schedule from June 20 will be released shortly.Airline statement: ‘With your support, we will rebound’Air India called the flight cuts a “painful but necessary” step following the tragic crash and external pressures. “We will come out stronger through this incident and re-establish the confidence of our passengers and stakeholders,” the airline said.Passengers are advised to check real-time updates on the airline’s website or through customer care due to the ongoing uncertainty.
