Air India Cancels 8 Flights, Including 4 International, Citing Operational Reasons

On Friday, Air India announced the cancellation of eight flights—four international and four domestic—citing enhanced maintenance requirements and operational reasons. This decision comes in the wake of a recent tragic incident involving one of its Boeing 787 aircraft. The airline, in an official statement, confirmed that alternative travel arrangements were being made for all affected passengers. Furthermore, it assured full refunds or complimentary rescheduling to minimize inconvenience.

Among the international services cancelled were:

• AI906 from Dubai to Chennai

• AI308 from Delhi to Melbourne

• AI309 from Melbourne to Delhi

• AI2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad

The domestic services cancelled were:

• AI874 from Pune to Delhi

• AI456 from Ahmedabad to Delhi

• AI2872 from Hyderabad to Mumbai

• AI571 from Chennai to Mumbai

These cancellations are directly linked to heightened maintenance checks mandated by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The regulatory authority issued this directive after the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad. That aircraft, operating a scheduled international flight between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff, carrying 242 passengers and crew. Of those on board, only one person reportedly survived, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The crash also resulted in casualties on the ground, though details on those numbers remain limited.

Following the accident, the DGCA instructed Air India to conduct immediate and detailed maintenance inspections on all 33 of its Boeing 787 aircraft to ensure safety. The ongoing checks are now impacting the airline’s ability to maintain its full operational schedule, forcing cancellations and rescheduling of several services.

In response to the situation and ongoing maintenance work, Air India, which is operated under the Tata Group, also unveiled a broader flight curtailment plan. This includes suspensions on three specific routes and reduced flight frequencies across 18 other routes. These adjustments affect key long-haul destinations, including:

• Five routes to North America

• Nine routes to Europe

• Two routes each to Australia and East Asia

The revised schedule will come into effect from June 21 and is expected to continue until at least July 15 in most cases. The temporary reductions are aimed at maintaining safety standards while minimizing passenger disruption through timely planning and communication.

The airline has reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and operational reliability. It stated that while the maintenance checks are causing some temporary inconvenience, they are critical to ensure the long-term airworthiness of the fleet. Passengers whose flights are affected are being informed in advance and are being given options to either receive a full refund or to reschedule their journey at no additional cost.

This development represents a significant moment for Air India as it balances growth under the Tata Group’s stewardship with the challenges of fleet maintenance and passenger safety following a high-profile aviation disaster.