In a significant operational shift, Air India has announced that it will reduce its international flights operated by wide-body aircraft by 15 percent starting immediately, extending at least through mid-July. The decision comes on the heels of the tragic crash of flight AI171 near Ahmedabad on June 12—a disaster that claimed 241 lives—and is further influenced by a complex mix of regulatory safety mandates, infrastructure constraints, geopolitical disruptions, and crew precautions.
The crash, which occurred just 33 seconds after takeoff, involved one of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners bound for London’s Gatwick. It remains India’s worst aviation disaster in decades, triggering a sweeping safety and regulatory response. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instituted enhanced inspection protocols covering the entire Boeing 787‑8/9 fleet. To date, 26 out of 33 Dreamliners have been cleared to resume service, while the remaining aircraft are undergoing intensive checks. The airline is also extending similar checks to its Boeing 777s as a precautionary measure.
Air India’s chairman, N. Chandrasekaran, has stressed that both engines on the ill-fated aircraft had a “clean history,” with the right engine newly installed just three months ago and the left one serviced in 2023. Investigators are now analyzing flight data including cockpit voice and flight data recorders, with international collaborators from the UK and US assisting the probe.
Beyond immediate safety concerns, the airline has also confronted operational bottlenecks, such as night‑time airspace curfews imposed across parts of Europe and East Asia, and mounting geopolitical tensions affecting routes over the Middle East. These factors have collectively contributed to disruptions, including the cancellation of at least 83 wide-body international flights over the past week alone.
Under the new plan, departing effective June 20, Air India will hold back capacity equivalent to approximately 15% of its scheduled wide-body seat-mile deployments. The airline underscores that this recalibration is a temporary but necessary adjustment—intended to fortify operational stability, enhance safety oversight, and mitigate last-minute passenger inconvenience.
To address customer impact, Air India is offering free rebooking and full refunds to any passengers affected by the reductions. A revised international schedule is expected to be published on June 20, and the curtailment will likely remain in place until at least mid‑July, or until safety inspections and wider operational pressures subside .
Alongside operational changes, the airline has reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate fully with multiple agencies including the DGCA, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and global investigative counterparts . A dedicated mission is underway to restore public confidence through heightened safety protocols, transparently communicated progress, and an emphasis on passenger welfare.
Air India’s leadership described the move as “painful but necessary,” acknowledging the tragedy’s sustained ripple effects across operations and sentiment . The airline also emphasized that the strategic curtailment will help preserve reserve aircraft and create operational leeway to manage unforeseen disruptions .
India’s Tata Group, which took control of the airline in early 2022, has been spearheading a multi‐year transformation plan—Vihaan.AI—focused on fleet modernization, enhanced customer service, and operational realignment. With billions allocated to fleet refurbishment and expansion, Air India continues to push forward, even as it confronts a defining challenge of restoring trust in the wake of catastrophe.
