Air India has temporarily reduced its international flight services by 15%, affecting operations on its widebody aircraft. This move will remain in effect until at least mid-July. The decision follows an incident on June 12, when an Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
According to a media report, the airline said that the move is intended to improve operational stability, enhance efficiency, and reduce passenger inconvenience, as it faces multiple ongoing challenges.
In a post on X, Air India wrote, “Due to the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, night curfew in the airspaces of many countries in Europe and East Asia, the ongoing enhanced safety inspections, and also the necessary cautious approach being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots, there have been certain disruptions in our international operations over the last 6 days leading to a total of 83 cancellations.”
In its statement, the airline said the temporary reduction in services will help increase the number of reserve aircraft, enabling it to better manage unexpected disruptions. It described the route curtailment as a “necessary and measured” response to the current situation.
Regarding the inconvenience faced by the passengers, the airline wrote on X, “Air India apologises to the passengers affected due to these curtailments, and will inform them in advance and make its best efforts to accommodate them on alternate flights. Passengers will also be offered a choice to reschedule their travel without any cost or to be given a full refund, as per their choice. The revised schedule of our international services, effective from June 20, 2025, will be shared shortly.”
Air India also addressed the recent Ahmedabad crash, stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident. In the meantime, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.
The airline added that out of its 33 Boeing 787 aircraft, 26 have already passed detailed inspections and have been cleared for service. The remaining aircraft are expected to complete checks in the coming days. Air India said the clearance of most of the fleet reflects the strength of its safety protocols and maintenance standards.