Ahmedabad plane crash: After the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, which took the lives of all but one passenger on board the London-bound Air India flight AI 171, the airline has decided to slash 15 per cent of international flights operated with widebody planes till mid-July. The decision comes after the Tata Group-owned airline cancelled a total of 83 flights in six days owing to a number of factors, including enhanced safety inspections and Iranian airspace closure.
Ever since the London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, the carrier has encountered international flight disruptions, especially with the ongoing safety checks of B787-8/9 aircraft.
The Indian airline has since apologised to passengers who will be impacted by the temporary shakeup after the Ahmedabad crash shook the country. It also said it will inform them in advance and make its best efforts to accommodate them on alternate flights.
According to the airline, the cuts will be implemented between “now and 20 June” and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July. Passengers will be offered a choice to reschedule their travel without any cost or a full refund.
Air India issues official statement
“Air India to reduce international services on widebody aircraft by 15%. Move to ensure stability of operations, better efficiency and minimise inconvenience to passengers,” said Air India in an official statement shared on X.
“Given the compounding circumstances that Air India is facing, to ensure stability of our operations, better efficiency, and to minimise inconvenience to passengers, Air India has decided to reduce its international services on widebody aircraft by 15 per cent for the next few weeks.”
The statement further said, “In coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Government of Gujarat, Air India is putting all possible efforts to support the family members of the deceased and the injured. Air India and Tata Group volunteers are deputed in Ahmedabad for coordination with family members for any assistance at the hospitals and for them to travel back to their respective homes with the mortal remains of the deceased. We pray for the departed souls and convey our deepest condolences to the families.”
Besides, the carrier will carry out enhanced safety checks for Boeing 777 planes as a matter of added precaution.
Air India to reduce international services
— Air India (@airindia) June 18, 2025
on widebody aircraft by 15%
Move to ensure stability of operations, better efficiency and minimise inconvenience to passengers
Air India remains in mourning on the tragic loss of 241 passengers and crew members aboard flight AI171. Our…
Air India said there have been disruptions due to the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, night curfew in the airspaces of many countries in Europe and East Asia and the ongoing enhanced safety inspections.
The airline also said a necessary cautious approach is being taken by the engineering staff and Air India pilots.
Air India flights that could be impacted
Details about the exact number of flights that will be impacted could not be immediately ascertained.
On June 12, the airline was scheduled to operate 90 flights with widebody planes.
Air India operates three widebody aircraft — Boeing 787-8/9, Boeing 777 and A350.
“This effectively adds to our reserve aircraft availability to take care of any unplanned disruptions,” it added.
“With the continued support of our passengers, the regulatory authorities, Ministry of Civil Aviation and India at large, we will come out stronger through this tragic incident and re-establish the confidence of our passengers and all stakeholders in our services, at the earliest,” it said.
Air India emphasised that the curtailments are a painful measure to take but are necessary following a devastating event “which we are still working through” and an unusual combination of external events.
“It is done to restore operational stability, and to minimise last-minute inconvenience to passengers,” the statement said.
Air India and Air India Express operate over 1,000 flights daily.
Air India also said the investigating authorities are continuing their efforts to find out the reasons for the aircraft accident.
On June 13, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered enhanced safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 planes in the wake of the Ahmedabad crash.
“Out of total 33 aircraft, inspections have now been completed on 26 and these have been cleared for service, while inspection of the remainder will be complete in the coming days,” the airline said.
Earlier in the day, Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran apologised for the plane crash.