Air India has revealed a 15% decrease in its international wide-body operations set to last until the middle of July 2025. This decision is a response to thorough safety evaluations, escalating geopolitical issues, and recent travel interruptions, with the goal of providing consistency and reducing hassle for passengers.
Air India has declared a temporary 15% cut in its international wide-body flight operations, prompted by necessary safety checks, rising geopolitical tensions, and engineering considerations. This reduction will be in place from June 20 through at least mid-July 2025, affecting routes connecting Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East.
This adjustment is designed to improve operational consistency, safeguard passengers, and reduce unexpected travel interruptions.
Understanding the Rationale: Prioritizing Safety and Stability
The announcement follows a tragic event involving Air India flight AI171, which resulted in the loss of 241 lives among passengers and crew. The airline is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Government of Gujarat to assist the families of those affected and manage travel arrangements for the repatriation of remains.
As investigations progress, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an “Enhanced Safety Inspection” for Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 fleet. Thus far, 26 out of 33 aircraft have been approved and returned to service. The evaluations for the remaining planes are anticipated to conclude shortly.
Additionally, Air India has initiated rigorous safety inspections for its Boeing 777 fleet as a safety measure.
Air India is reducing international widebody operations by 15% until mid-July, starting now through June 20.
This move boosts reserve aircraft availability to better manage unplanned disruptions. #AirIndia #TravelUpdate ✈️ pic.twitter.com/VYrKOie5fF
— travelobiz (@travelobiz) June 18, 2025
Impacted Routes and Flight Cancellations
Along with heightened safety inspections of its wide-body fleet, Air India’s choice to reduce international long-haul flights by 15% is driven by various operational difficulties, including:
- Night curfews across multiple nations,
- Geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East, and
- A reserved operational approach by Air India’s engineering team.
These elements have already led to several cancellations in flights over the past week.
Potentially Affected Routes
Although the airline has yet to release a comprehensive list of cancelled flights, the following areas and routes are likely to be influenced, as they are generally serviced by wide-body aircraft (Boeing 787s and 777s):
| Region | Possible Routes Affected | Aircraft Type |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Delhi–London, Mumbai–London, Delhi–Frankfurt, Delhi–Paris | Boeing 777/787 |
| East Asia | Delhi–Tokyo, Delhi–Seoul, Delhi–Shanghai, Mumbai–Hong Kong | Boeing 787 |
| Middle East | Delhi–Dubai, Mumbai–Abu Dhabi, Kochi–Jeddah, Hyderabad–Riyadh | Boeing 787/777 |
| North America | Delhi–New York, Mumbai–San Francisco, Bengaluru–Chicago | Boeing 777 |
Passengers scheduled on these routes from June 20 to mid-July 2025 are recommended to look for schedule changes and alerts from Air India.
Updated Schedule To Be Announced Soon
Air India has indicated that an updated schedule for the affected international flights will be announced in the near future. Travelers are advised to:
- Keep an eye on their booking status,
- Look for communications from the airline, and
- Consider rebooking or refund options if their flight is affected.
Key Information for Passengers
If your travel plans are impacted by these cancellations, Air India will reach out to you ahead of time to notify you about any changes or cancellations. The airline has promised the following assistance:
1. Complimentary Rescheduling
In the event that your flight is cancelled:
- You will have the option to reschedule your trip for another available flight on the same route without incurring extra charges.
- The airline will provide priority rebooking based on current availability and your travel requirements.
- No change fees or penalties will be enforced during this timeframe.
2. Total Refund Option
Prefer to cancel your trip altogether? You are eligible for a full refund, which includes:
- 100% reimbursement of your ticket price with no cancellation fees.
- The refund process will be completed using your original payment method or through your travel agent.
- No service or processing fees will be deducted.
How to Access These Options
- Visit airindia.com or call the airline’s customer support center.
- If your booking was through a travel agent or an online platform, reach out to them directly for assistance.
- Air India recommends frequently checking your flight status as the updated international schedule is launched over the upcoming days.
Air India is dedicated to minimizing disruptions for passengers during this challenging phase.
Future Perspectives
Air India recognizes that these operational reductions are a “difficult yet necessary” action following an extraordinary tragedy and external obstacles. The airline assures its clientele that these short-term modifications are vital to reestablishing normal operations and achieving stability.
With ongoing backing from regulatory bodies and travelers, Air India is optimistic about emerging stronger and winning back the confidence of international passengers.
Fonte: Travelo Biz
