Air India Cuts 15% of Long-Haul Flights Amid Crisis

Air India has announced the cancellation of 15% of its wide-body long-haul flights through mid-July 2025 as it grapples with a series of operational and safety challenges. The move follows the tragic crash of flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed 241 people and marked the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade.

The airline, owned by Tata Group, said the cuts are aimed at “ensuring stability of operations, better efficiency and minimizing inconvenience to passengers.” The situation has been further strained by the closure of Pakistani and Iranian airspace, forcing rerouted flights, longer travel times, and increased fuel stops. These disruptions have caused delays, diversions, and even flights turning back to their origin.

The airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners have also been subjected to urgent maintenance checks following the AI171 crash, reducing available aircraft for long-haul routes. As of June 18, Air India had canceled 83 flights in the previous six days. The airline is now preparing a revised long-haul schedule to manage the disruptions.

Air India currently operates 26 787-8s, seven 787-9s, six 777-200LRs, 19 777-300ERs, and six Airbus A350s. According to Cirium data, Air India operates 639 widebody long-haul flights weekly. A 15% reduction equates to about 96 canceled flights per week.

The airline confirmed that 26 of its 33 Dreamliners have passed inspections and returned to service, with the remaining checks ongoing. Additional inspections are also planned for the Boeing 777 fleet as part of enhanced safety measures.

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