Air India Cancels Eight Flights Over Enhanced Maintenance Amid Crash Aftermath

Air India Cancels Eight Flights: Air India on Friday cancelled several international and domestic flights due to a combination of increased aircraft safety checks, unfavourable weather conditions, and ongoing airspace restrictions. The series of changes in the Tata Group-owned airline comes in the wake of the deadly crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad last week, in which around 297 people lost their lives, including 241 people onboard. The only person on the flight had miraculously survived the crash.

The affected flights include AI906 from Dubai to Chennai; AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne; AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi; AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad and domestic flights AI874 from Pune to Delhi; AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi; AI-2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai and AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai.

On Wednesday, Air India had cancelled three international flights owing to various reasons, including maintenance and technical issues. Two of these flights were cancelled after the passengers had already boarded the aircraft, the airline had said.

Also Read: Netanyahu’s ‘Personal Loss’ Remark Amid Iran War Sparks Outrage and Backlash

The cancellations are part of a broader operational crisis for the airline, which is still recovering from the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick Dreamliner crash that claimed 271 lives, including at least 30 on the ground. Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered comprehensive safety inspections across Air India's Boeing 787 fleet.

According to DGCA data, since the crash, 66 Dreamliner flights have been cancelled. On June 12 alone, six of the 50 Dreamliner-operated flights were grounded. The regulatory body confirmed that as of June 18, 24 of Air India’s 33 Dreamliners had undergone checks, with more aircraft scheduled for review in the coming days. Two jets are currently listed as AOG (Aircraft on Ground) in Delhi due to maintenance issues.

Also Read: UCLA Graduate Goes Viral for Flaunting ChatGPT on Laptop During Graduation Ceremony

Today's cancellations add to a growing list of grounded flights this week. On Tuesday, at least 13 Dreamliner flights, including the newly designated AI-159 (formerly AI-171) on the Ahmedabad–London route, were cancelled. That particular aircraft had been expected to resume operations after the crash but was grounded due to “unavailability of the aircraft.”

“Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to these cancellations. Affected customers are being offered full refunds or the option to reschedule their travel at no additional cost,” the airline had said in an earlier statement.

Since the June 12 Ahmedabad crash, Air India has experienced a surge in delays and cancellations. Some aircraft have even been grounded mid-flight due to detected technical snags. The crash has prompted intensive inspections of the airline’s Boeing 787 and 777 fleets.

Air India has also cut back its wide-body international schedule by approximately 15 per cent from June 20 through mid-July to facilitate inspections and maintain adequate aircraft reserves.

Also Read: Vivek Agnihotri Says Deepika Padukone ‘Had No Idea’ About JNU Politics — PR Misled Her Visit