Airlines
Air India Cancels 15% of Wide-Body International Flights for Safety Checks — Full List
Air India reduces international wide-body flights through mid-July due to safety inspections on its 787 and 777 fleet, impacting key Europe and Asia routes.
In the wake of mounting safety concerns and a recent mid-air scare, Air India has announced a significant reduction in its international wide-body operations.
This move comes as the airline conducts enhanced inspections of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet following a troubling incident on board a Delhi–Hong Kong flight, as well as ongoing scrutiny surrounding the crash of flight AI171.
As a precautionary measure, the carrier has temporarily suspended approximately 15% of its long-haul Boeing 787 and 777 services through at least July 15.
Mid-Air Scare Raises Alarms
On June 1, passengers aboard an Air India Boeing 787 from Delhi to Hong Kong were left shaken after a door began rattling mid-flight, accompanied by loud hissing and growling noises. Flight attendants acted quickly—improvising by stuffing paper napkins into a gap in the door and physically bracing it to reduce the noise and movement. Despite the unsettling experience, the aircraft landed safely in Hong Kong.
According to a Times of India report, the incident has added pressure on the airline and regulators already investigating flight AI171, which tragically crashed, claiming 241 lives—the deadliest aviation accident in over a decade.
Fleet Inspections and Safety Checks Underway
Following these incidents, Air India confirmed that detailed inspections had been completed on 26 out of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. These 26 aircraft have been cleared for continued service. The airline is conducting enhanced safety checks on the remaining wide-body fleet, including Boeing 777s, as part of its proactive safety approach.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated that these inspections are time-consuming and, combined with other operational factors, have forced the airline to curtail services temporarily.
Flight Reductions and Route Impact
Starting June 20 and continuing through at least mid-July, Air India will reduce international wide-body flights by around 15%. Affected routes include several key long-haul services to Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Impacted Europe Routes:
- Delhi – London Heathrow
- Bengaluru – London Heathrow
- Amritsar – Birmingham
- Delhi – Birmingham
- Delhi – Paris
- Delhi – Milan
- Delhi – Copenhagen
- Delhi – Vienna
- Delhi – Amsterdam
Impacted Asia-Pacific Routes:
- Delhi – Melbourne
- Delhi – Sydney
- Delhi – Tokyo Haneda
- Delhi – Seoul (Incheon)
Passenger Support and Airline Response
In an official statement, Air India expressed regret over the disruptions and apologized to affected passengers. “We understand that this temporary reduction to our schedule may affect your travel plans, and we’re deeply sorry for any inconvenience,” said Wilson.
He explained that, in addition to safety checks, other factors such as airspace closures over Iran and the Middle East, night-time curfews at select airports, and routine technical issues have contributed to an unusual number of flight cancellations in recent days.
To manage the situation, the airline is proactively contacting passengers to offer flexible options, including:
- Re-accommodation on alternate flights
- Complimentary rescheduling
- Full refunds, as per passenger preference
More Backup Aircraft to Minimize Future Disruptions
Wilson noted that reducing the schedule will also allow the airline to have additional backup aircraft on standby to handle any unforeseen disruptions moving forward.
“This measure, though temporary, helps us prioritize safety and ensure better operational reliability. We’re committed to restoring full services as soon as safely possible,” he said.
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