Air India Cuts International Flights After Fatal 787 Crash

Air India announced on June 18 that it will reduce international service on its widebody aircraft by 15% starting June 20, with the suspension expected to last through at least mid-July. The decision follows a tragic crash involving one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on June 12.

The flight, en route to the United Kingdom with 230 passengers and 12 crew, crashed into a building shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The incident left 246 people dead, including five medical students inside the building. One passenger, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, was confirmed as the sole survivor.

In a statement, Air India cited safety inspections and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as contributing factors. The airline has canceled 83 flights over the past six days due to operational disruptions.

“To ensure the stability of our operations, enhance efficiency, and minimize passenger inconvenience, Air India will temporarily cut back its widebody international services,” the carrier said in a press release.

Passengers affected by the schedule reduction can reschedule their flights at no additional cost or opt for a full refund.

Air India reported that 26 of its 33 Dreamliners have returned to service following safety inspections conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline is also performing enhanced safety checks on its Boeing 777 fleet as a precaution and is cooperating fully with investigative authorities.

This marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model known for its safety record until now.

Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=air+india, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/safety/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, abc.comy