New Delhi – Air India has scaled back its international flight operations by 15%, a move prompted by heightened safety protocols following the recent Ahmedabad flight incident. The reduction, mainly affecting wide-body aircraft, is expected to remain in place until mid-July, airline sources confirmed.
Citing a combination of mandatory safety checks, airspace restrictions, technical issues, and rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the airline emphasized that the decision prioritizes passenger safety and operational efficiency.
In a statement, Air India assured affected passengers that they will receive full refunds, free rebooking, or alternate travel options at no additional cost. The airline is working to minimize disruptions, with a revised international schedule set to take effect on June 20.
In the past six days alone, 83 international flights have been canceled as part of this operational adjustment. Of the airline’s 33 Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft, 26 have cleared safety inspections and are back in service, while the remainder are undergoing checks.
Air India is also independently inspecting its Boeing 777 fleet, reinforcing its commitment to enhanced safety standards. Investigations into the Ahmedabad incident are ongoing, as the airline seeks to pinpoint the root cause and prevent future occurrences.
This decisive action underscores Air India’s renewed focus on rigorous safety compliance and operational integrity in a challenging global aviation landscape.
